Wednesday, June 17, 2026 from Stone World

By Jason Kamery

Image Credit: thitivong / iStock / Getty Images Plus / via Getty Images

U.S. exports of natural stone and building stone products fell to $12.8 million in March 2026, a 22.2 percent decline from the $16.4 million shipped in March 2025, according to data from the U.S. International Trade Commission. Canada remained the dominant buyer by a wide margin, taking in $8.5 million, or 66.6 percent of all stone exports for the month, though shipments to the country fell 23.2 percent year over year. The U.S. counted 49 active export destinations in March, with Mexico, Italy and the Bahamas rounding out the top buyers behind Canada.

The product mix told a more uneven story. Marble and travertine led identifiable natural stone exports at $1.6 million, while granite, slate and limestone were the only categories to post year-over-year gains, rising 40.3 percent, 45.9 percent and 29.7 percent respectively. The figures underscore how small the export market remains relative to imports. The U.S. brought in $275.5 million in countertop materials in March while exporting just $12.8 million in stone products, a ratio of roughly 22 to 1 that reflects the country’s standing as an overwhelming consumer rather than producer of stone.