Latest news with #AdolfoRebughini
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
New Discoveries Abound for Italian Marble and Fine Stone Companies
MILAN — Since the ancient Romans began excavating marble more than 2,000 years ago, the average price of Italian natural stone per ton has reached a record 1,016.4 euros. This new height is the culmination of a path intertwined with economic and geopolitical hurdles to which the sector has become accustomed. 'This achievement underscores how our product consistently ranks first in terms of material quality and craftsmanship,' trade show organizer Adolfo Rebughini, general manager of Veronafiere, told WWD. More from WWD Interior Designer Craig Anthony Longhurst Opens Furniture and Art Gallery EXCLUSIVE: Cabana Magazine Announces Kate Berry as First U.S. Editor These Italian Niche Brands Are Updating Made in Italy Credentials for the Chicago Collective Audience Veronafiere, in the Italian city of Verona, is gearing up to welcome 1,400 exhibitors from 50 countries and more than 50,000 operators and professionals from 150 nations to Marmomac, the international trade show for the stone supply chain. At Marmomac, which will take place Sept. 23 to 26, Italian white marble takes center stage as one of the most successful products internationally, Rebughini said. The demand for classic Italian marbles, from Carrara to Calacatta, is experiencing significant growth in the luxury construction sector, both in private settings and in the hotel and spa industries. Especially in China and the Gulf region where bright interiors contrast with the warm climates. Highly prized colored marbles are also in great demand: Rosso Verona, Travertine, Perlato di Sicilia, Pietra Serena, Trani Bronzetto, Palissandro Botticino and Porfido. According to fine stone industry consortium Confindustria Marmomacchine, exports of Italian stone materials in 2024 rose 3.8 percent in volume, reaching 2.1 million tons. In value terms, exports reached 2.18 billion euros, marking a 5.8 percent rise compared to 2023. Raw materials, which account for 21 percent of exports, increased by 10.7 percent, while exports of semi-finished and processed materials (which make up 79 percent of the total) grew by 4.5 percent. The U.S. is the industry's top market according to Confindustria Marmomacchine. In 2024, exports of processed Italian natural stone to the U.S. rose 14 percent to 542 million euros. Germany ranked second with 125.2 million euros worth of exports, down 1.7 percent, while France was up 9.5 percent to 115.6 million euros. Emerging markets like Saudi Arabia featured prominently with 84.5 million euros, surging significantly, up 37.2 percent. China was the top consumer of raw materials with exports totaling 229 million, up 27 percent, followed by India at 46.7 million, down 14.7 percent. Italian companies, in the meantime, are eagerly exploring new geographical areas that could serve not only as markets but also as sources of raw materials and partners for joint development. In particular, East Africa, where countries like Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania offer underdeveloped deposits and a rich geological diversity, are one such opportunity, Rebughini explained. The Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia, is not only a major buyer but also a region investing in the exploration and development of its natural resources. Finally, in Latin America, there are countries that present a growing market for businesses. In particular, Brazil boasts more than 1,200 types of marble, quartz, granite and ornamental stones. Numerous Italian companies, he said, are already operating mining sites there. As a result, Veronafiere also organizes Marmomac Brazil in São Paulo, a leading trade fair for Central and South America, as well as for operators in the U.S. The 59th edition of Marmomac aims to highlight all the 'veins' of the storytelling of fine stone — from production, to technological advances and how it is refined from a raw block to finished material. In an effort to compete with more design-forward events, the 2025 layout of the The Plus Theater, the curatorial Pavilion of the fair, has been inspired by Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier's Plan Voisin, an urban model for the center of Paris, drawn between 1922 and 1925. Looking ahead, the marble and stone market exports to foreign markets are expected to rise 4 to 6 percent in value terms in 2025. Risks to that forecast include unexpected tariffs and, or a worsening geopolitical situation. It is challenging to make a realistic forecast today due to the uncertainty surrounding U.S. economic policy, Rebughini commented, adding that the recent EU tariff that fixed duties at 15 percent will still spur a decline in export volumes to the U.S. Best of WWD Green People: How Sustainable Material Entrepreneurs Move Differently Simple, Recycled, Local: Brandart's Sustainable Approach to Packaging A Polyester Alternative Launches to Market — Can It Transform the Textile Industry?
Forbes
02-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
How Tariffs May Impact Italy's $2 Billion In U.S. Wine Exports
The U.S. is the #1 Export Country for Italian Wine Americans are in love with Italian wine, making Italy the top country for U.S. imported wine volume over the past decade, according to NielsenIQ. Now with a potential 20% tariff looming on the horizon, Italian wine producers are naturally nervous about the impact on their businesses. 'Italy exports around $2 billion worth of wine each year to the U.S., which makes up around one-third of our total wine export volume,' stated Adolfo Rebughini, General Manager of Veronafiere, in an online interview this week, along with tw0 other Italian wine executives. 'We are concerned that the tariffs could raise wine prices for the U.S. consumer, especially due to the complexity of the 3-tier wine sales system,' he continued. 'But the U.S. market is critical to Italian wine. It's a market we can't replace easily in the short-term.' And it turns out that Italian wine sales can be quite lucrative for American wine buyers, because Rebughini shared that every euro spent on producing a bottle of wine in Italy generates a margin of € 4.5 euros for importers, distributors, and retailers in the U.S. During the course of our conversation, the three Italian wine executives described some of the programs and methods they are using to maintain positive relationships with U.S. wine buyers, trade professionals, and consumers. They are hopeful that by these strategies will help to lessen the impact of the potential tariffs. 'We are concerned that the tariffs could raise wine prices for the U.S. consumer. But the U.S. market is critical to Italian wine. It's a market we can't replace easily in the short-term.' Given that wine is so important to Italy they were one of the first countries to establish a large annual trade show, now called VinItaly, where wine buyers from around the world are invited to taste and learn more about Italian wines as well as to negotiate sales deals. 'The first wine trade fair actually started in the city of Verona in 1896, and our organization – Veronafiere, which manages VinItaly, started in 1898,' stated Federico Bricolo, President of Veronafiere. 'The mission of VinItaly is to promote and foster the global wine business for Italian wines.' Under Veronafiere's leadership, VinItaly has grown to be one of the largest wine trade fairs in the world. Bricolo reported that for the most recent VinItaly, which was held this year from April 6- 9, 2025 – right after Donald Trump's tariff announcement on April 2 – that 97,000 people from 130 countries attended. 'Because the tariffs were announced a few days before the trade show, we had an increase of 5%, or 3200 American buyers,' reported Rebughini. 'There was concern because the tariffs for Italy were 20% (now on pause for 90 days), but there was a lot of vibrant energy and good conversations. At the end of the day, wine has survived many centuries and we will figure it out.' The main VinItaly trade show has been so successful that last year Veronafiere decided to launch VinItaly-USA. The trade show was held in Chicago in October of 2024 and attracted 1500 American wine buyers. 'At both VinItaly trade shows we provide matchmaking tools so Italian wineries and wine buyers can discuss, negotiate and develop solutions. We also provide content, education, and Italian wine master classes,' Rebughini said. Veronafiere works very closely with the Italian Trade Agency ( led by Matteo Zoppas, in order to launch VinItaly. 'We couldn't be successful at VinItaly without the support of ICE, because they are the ones who help us identify and invite buyers to the trade show,' added Rebughini. The VinItaly Trade Show in Verona Attracted Over 97,000 Attendees in April 2025 Wine is very important to Italy, comprising 1.1% of the GDP for the country. Because of this, it may not be surprising that Italy's Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, was one of the first government officials to reach out to the Trump administration to discuss the tariffs. 'Our Prime Minister has a good relationship with Trump. We don't want to give up on the U.S. market,' stated Rebughini. Another method to enhance Italian wine relationships is the VinItaly Ambassador program. 'We have now trained over 1500 people to be Italian wine ambassadors at our VinItaly International Academy,' explained Stevie Stevie Kim, Vinitaly Managing Partner. The purpose of the program is to education wine professional, such as importers, distributors, buyers, educators, and other members of the wine trade, on the intricacies and joys of Italian wine. This allows them to better explain the benefits of Italian wine to consumers. 'The academy has been running for 10 years now, and we offer the training and certification exam at VinItaly in Verona, and now at VinItaly USA,' stated Kim. 'We are very proud of all of our Italian wine ambassadors.' She explained that in addition to the in-person training sessions where the ambassador candidates taste and evaluate Italian wine, there is also a 40 hour online program that provides the history and theory aspects of Italian wine. President Trump Meets With Visiting Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni At The White House Though the Italian wine executives want to maintain their position as the #1 wine import country to the U.S., they also recognize the need to explore other markets for Italian wine. 'Rightfully the Italian wineries are looking into other markets, but at the end of the day, they don't want to give up on the U.S.,' said Rebughini . He mentioned that they are looking at India and have held several small events there. In addition they are also expanding tasting events in South America and Asia. 'The mission is to promote Italian wine abroad, but Italian wineries want to keep on investing and increasing their presence in America. We haven't heard anyone say that they want to get out of the U.S. market,' Rebughini concluded. Mr. Rebughini, Mrs. Kim and Mr. Bricolo at OperaWine 2025
