Historic EU–Australia Trade Agreement: What It Means for Natural Stone Exports

3/30/2026

Tariff Elimination: Immediate Relief for Processed Stone (Chapter 68)

The most fundamental change brought by the FTA is the total elimination of the 5% import tariff that previously applied to processed marble, granite, and slate (Chapter 68). Raw stones (Chapter 25) will now e

Market Shares & Pricing:

• Italy dominates with an 89.79% value share, with an average price of €3,186/ton.

• Greece follows steadily in second place, with 6.27% of the value and an impressive 13.77% of the quantity.

• Spain holds 3.10% of the value.

• Average Price: The overall average price per ton for processed marble stood at €2,805.

Eliminating the 5% tariff at these price levels makes European marble immediately more competitive, reducing the final cost for the Australian importer without affecting the exporter’s profitability.

Natural Stone: The Answer to the Australian Market Gap

A crucial coincidence favoring the sector is the total ban on engineered stone in Australia, which came into full effect on January 1, 2025, for public health reasons (silicosis).

This development has overturned the status quo in the construction and interior design sectors. Natural marble and granite, as materials of superior aesthetics and ecological profile, are now emerging as the primary replacement options to meet the demand for countertops and structural surfaces. The new FTA acts as a “catalyst,” facilitating the flow of European natural materials to fill the significant void left by the withdrawal of artificial products.

Summary of Benefits for the Sector

Next Steps

The agreement is not yet in immediate effect. It will now undergo legal scrubbing and translation, followed by official ratification by the European Parliament and the Parliament of Australia. While this process may take some time, the political and economic signal is clear: Australia is now an open and preferential market for European natural stone.