Pakistan’s exports of marble, onyx and related stone products to China remained broadly stable in 2025, supported by steady demand from the construction and interior decoration sectors, which typically see increased activity ahead of the Spring Festival holiday.

Gwadar Pro reported on Monday quoting data from the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC), exports under HS Code 25151200 (marble and travertine, merely cut into rectangular blocks or slabs) rose to $5.41 million in 2025 from $5.02 million in 2024. Shipments under HS Code 25151100 (marble and travertine, crude or roughly trimmed) also posted a slight year-on-year increase, the data show.

Under HS Code 25152000 (calcareous monumental or building stone, including alabaster and onyx), Pakistan ranked as China’s third-largest supplier in 2025, according to GACC data.

Türkiye led in this category with shipments valued at $18.49 million, followed by Bulgaria at $16.75 million. Pakistan exported 31.74 million kg of calcareous building stone to China, valued at $8.10 million, the data shows. In related categories, exports under HS Code 26169000 (precious metal ores and concentrates, excluding silver) fell to $2.39 million in 2025 from $8.62 million in 2024.

Exports under HS Code 71031000 (precious and semi-precious stones, unworked) reached $2.57 million in 2025, according to GACC. Granite exports showed mixed performance, with shipments of crude granite declining sharply while exports of granite that was merely cut increased, indicating limited but emerging movement toward value-added stone products.

Muhammad Abid, owner of Bilal Enterprises, told Gwadar Pro at the Agriculture Exhibition Centre that demand for Pakistani marble and onyx products typically rises ahead of the Chinese New Year. “Before every Spring Festival, we set up installations and stalls featuring marble and onyx products carved with Chinese characters, which are very popular among customers,” he said.

Abid noted that the Year of the Horse begins with the Chinese New Year on Feb 17, and said horse-themed marble and onyx products had attracted strong interest. “This year, I sold all horse-themed items made from Pakistani marble and onyx, along with other related products,” he said. He added that interest often increases once customers learn the products originate from Pakistan.

“People appreciate the quality, and there is also goodwill toward Pakistan. Many customers actively support Pakistani products,” he said. Overall, the data suggests Pakistan’s stone exports to China in 2025 were underpinned by stable demand for marble and onyx, with growth concentrated mainly in cut marble products rather than raw shipments.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP) — Pak-China