Pakistan’s exports of marble, onyx, and related stone products to China remained largely stable in 2025, supported by consistent demand from the construction and interior decoration sectors, which typically experience heightened activity ahead of the Spring Festival.
According to figures released by the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC), Türkiye topped the category with exports worth $18.49 million, followed by Bulgaria at $16.75 million. Pakistan ranked third, exporting 31.74 million kilograms of calcareous building stone valued at $8.10 million.
Under HS Code 25152000, which covers calcareous monumental or building stone including alabaster and onyx, Pakistan was China’s third-largest supplier in 2025, based on GACC data.
Exports under HS Code 25151200, covering marble and travertine cut into rectangular blocks or slabs, increased to $5.41 million in 2025 from $5.02 million in 2024. Shipments under HS Code 25151100, which includes crude or roughly trimmed marble and travertine, also posted a slight year-on-year rise.
In related segments, exports under HS Code 26169000, which covers precious metal ores and concentrates excluding silver, dropped significantly to $2.39 million in 2025 from $8.62 million in 2024. Meanwhile, exports under HS Code 71031000 for unworked precious and semi-precious stones reached $2.57 million, according to GACC.
Granite exports presented a mixed picture. Shipments of crude granite declined sharply, while exports of granite that was merely cut increased. This suggests a gradual, though limited, shift toward higher 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 typically rises ahead of the Chinese New Year.
He explained that before each Spring Festival, the company sets up installations and stalls featuring marble and onyx items carved with Chinese characters, which attract strong customer interest.
With the Year of the Horse beginning on February 17, Abid said horse-themed marble and onyx products saw particularly strong sales this season. He noted that all horse-themed items made from Pakistani stone were sold, along with other related products.
Abid added that customer interest often grows once buyers learn the products originate from Pakistan. He said many customers appreciate the quality and express goodwill toward Pakistan, with some actively preferring Pakistani-made products.
Overall, the data indicates that Pakistan’s stone exports to China in 2025 were supported by steady demand for marble and onyx, with growth largely concentrated in cut and processed marble products rather than raw stone shipments.
