South Korea ranks in the top three of the world’s largest importers of processed granite and marble worldwide, while it rounds out the top ten in ceramics imports. However, statistics for the past five years show that imports of processed granite have been steadily declining, while imports of marbles and ceramics have been increasing.

In the first quarter of 2022, there was an increase in imports of all three materials. The table below shows the changes in the value and quantity of imports between the first quarters of 2021 and 2022.

South Korea ranks in the top three of the world’s largest importers of processed granite and marble worldwide, while it rounds out the top ten in ceramics imports. However, statistics for the past five years show that imports of processed granite have been steadily declining, while imports of marbles and ceramics have been increasing.

In the first quarter of 2022, there was an increase in imports of all three materials. The table below shows the changes in the value and quantity of imports between the first quarters of 2021 and 2022.

In the first quarter of 2022, imports of processed granite recovered to over $100 million after two years (2020, 2021). In processed marble, the value of imports, despite the decline, remained high. In contrast, the volume of imports set a five-year record. Finally, a five-year record in value and quantity of ceramic imports remained high.

China remains South Korea’s primary supplier of all three materials. However, processed marble imports from Egypt have recorded a considerable increase. Ceramic imports from Italy also show a sizeable increase.

*The statistics are derived from the analysis of the Tariff Class Codes – Harmonized System (HS) Codes:

680221: Marble, travertine and alabaster articles thereof, simply cut or sawn, with a flat or even surface (excl. With a completely or partly planed, sand-dressed, coarsely or finely ground or polished surface, tiles, cubes and similar articles of subheading 6802.10, setts, curbstones and flagstones).

680291: Marble, travertine and alabaster, in any form (excl. Tiles, cubes and similar articles of subheading 6802.10, imitation jewelery, clocks, lamps and lighting fittings and parts thereof, buttons, original sculptures and statuary, setts, curbstones and flagstones) .

680223: Granite and articles thereof, simply cut or sawn, with a flat or even surface (excluding with a completely or partly planed, sand-dressed, coarsely or finely ground or polished surface, tiles, cubes and similar articles of subheading 6802 10 00 , setts, curbstones and flagstones).

680293: Granite, in any form, polished, decorated or otherwise worked (excluding tiles, cubes and similar articles of subheading 6802.10, imitation jewelery, clocks, lamps and lighting fittings and parts thereof, original sculptures and statuary, setts, curbstones and flagstones) .

6907: Ceramic flags and paving, hearth or wall tiles; ceramic mosaic cubes and the like, whether or not on a backing (excl. of siliceous fossil meals or similar siliceous earths, refractory goods, tiles specially adapted as table mats, ornamental articles and tiles specifically manufactured for stoves).