Share Your Expertise: David Anderson on the China Granite Industry

In a follow up to Dylan Blankenship’s article Let’s Talk Granite - Pre-fabricated Granite Import Guide, we attempt here to help readers better understand the structure and makeup of China’s granite industry. We explain where China’s main granite suppliers are located, the types of granite found in these locations, and give a brief introduction to the uniform numbering system used in the country.

Whether you are looking to purchase high quality, finished granite countertops (slabs or prefabricated), granite tile, dimension stone or granite sinks, they can all be found in China at competitive prices. According to the General Administration of Customs, China exported over 1 million tons of granite in the first 10 months of 2007 at a value of approximately $157 million US dollars. It is estimated that Chinese granite accounts for around 17-20% of the world’s granite production.

The main production centers are located in the provinces of Fujian, Guangdong and Shandong. These three provinces account for 85% of China’s stone production. Smaller production centers can be found inland in Sichuan, Shanxi, Anhui, Hebei, Guangxi, Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang. Have a look at the map below for a more visual look at China’s granite production areas.

With over 80 varieties of granite, Fujian is China’s largest granite producing province. It employs 15,000 manufacturers and is home to over 5,000 granite quarries and as many importers and exporters. Shuitou is the largest production base in the province with over 3,000 manufacturing facilities operating, including the majority of Chinas top granite suppliers.

Guangdong is a large province in the south east of China. It has more than 700 granite quarries scattered throughout the province in the cities of Lianling, Xinyi, Chaoyang, Jieyang, Gaozhou, Yangjiang, Taishan, Huizhou, Zengcheng and on the outskirts of Shenzhen. There are around 4,000 manufacturers mining some 30 varieties of granite.

In Shandong, the cities of Rong Cheng, Laizhou and Linyi are responsible for the majority of the 40+ varities of granite found in the region. Shandong’s most famous granites are Jinan Green which is very dark and also called Jinan black G3701, Isle Red, also called Peninsula red G3786, General Hung, also called Piyi General red G3752, Liu Ports Red, also called Laizhou oriental cherry red G3767 and China ash, or Laoshan grey G3706.

Have a look at the table below for a clear overview of the types of granite found in China, by province:

Types of Granite Located in China

Granite found in Fujian	Granite found in Shandong	Granite found in Guangdong
Jinjiang Bacuo white G3503	Laizhou sesame white G3765	Puning big white flower G4439
Quanzhou white G3506	Wendeng white G3760	Guangning east white sesame G4422
Haicang white G3523	Pingdu white G3755	Guangning rosy spots G4421
Xiaocuo white G3516	Zhaoyuan pearl G3783	Xinyi thin twists G4419
Hongtang white G3514	Mengyin pink G3778	Xinyi black stars and clouds G4416
Nanan snow plum G3508	Shanyuan flower G3757	Xinyi spindrift G4418
Jinjiang white in black G3516	Mengyin spindrift G3777	Guangning dark blue stars G4420
Luoyuan oriental cherry red G3563	Laizhou oriental cherry red G3767	Xinyi black G4417
Zhangpu red G3548	Piyi General red G3752
Anxi red G3535	Zeshan red G3764
Wuyi red G3528	Rongcheng Jingrun red G3784
Nanping Minjiang red G3559	Laoshan grey G3706
Nanping black G3539	Jinan black G3701
Pucheng Baizhang black G3577	Wulian leopard-skin G3742
Fuding black G3518	Rushan black G3770
Dayang black (A) G3538	Mengshan flower G3776
Shaowu green G3599	Pingyi peacock green G3791

In order to help buyers and sellers more accurately identify and trade different types of granite and other stone, in 1998 the China State Administration of the Building Materials Industry devised a uniform numbering. The system gives each variety of stone a letter and 4-digit number. For example, Fuding Black is denoted as G3518. The letter represents the type of stone, G for granite, M for marble, etc. the 4-digit number consists of 3 parts. The first 2 numbers specify the province or municipality the stone originated from, for example, Fujian is 35, Guangdong is 44 and Shandong is 37. The 3rd digit relates to the colour, characteristics and patterns on the stone and the final digit associates the stone with the specific quarry from which it originated.

Here is an extensive list of Chinese granites and marbles and conversions for the updated and original numbers. When dealing with Chinese granite suppliers, be sure to use this numbering system in all documentation and correspondence. it will save trouble down the road and can help ensure you get what you ordered.

Granite and Natural Stone Tradeshows in China

If you’re interested in starting or expanding your granite or other natural stone business, here are some of the largest trade shows for you to attend:

STONETECH SHANGHAI
Date: April 8-11, 2008 (every two years)
Location: Shanghai New International Expo Centre
Description: This exhibition takes place every two years and includes exhibitors from international stone processing, machinery and equipment and stone products.

CHINA STONE
Date: October 21-23, 2008
Location: Yunfu International Stone Materials Centre, China
Description: This fair is promoted as an international stone materials science and technology fair.

XIAMEN STONE FAIR 2008
Date: March 6-9, 2009
Location: Xiamen International Conference & Exhibition Center, Xiamen, China
Description: A fair exhibiting stone and stone machinery

ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR

David Anderson is Managing Director of GMC Group Ltd, a China-based
business services firm specializing in business and market development
programs for international companies seeking new or revitalized growth
in global markets.

Comments

8 Responses to “Share Your Expertise: David Anderson on the China Granite Industry”

UFW on March 23rd, 2008 8:38 am

Great information resource for buying granite from China. Thanks for the table with the updated numbering system for Chinese granite types, and for the granite trade show listings.
Get Rich Quick? Thinking Bigg! | SourceJuice on April 11th, 2008 6:31 pm

[…] The most valuable of stories, experience: Share your Expertise Series - David Anderson on the China Granite Industry […]
One Man’s Challenge Is Another Man’s Treasure, part 1 of 3 | SourceJuice on April 20th, 2008 5:14 am

[…] buy it prefabricated at $11 and sell it at $30. More details in Sourcejuice articles: • Share Your Expertise: David Anderson on the China Granite Industry • Prefabricated Granite Import Guide • Digging Deeper Series: Actual Landed Costs […]
خالد الدوسرى on May 11th, 2008 3:01 am

الرجاء الافادة عن مصانع الرخام والغرانيت فى الصين
Jordão de Freitas on May 23rd, 2008 1:38 pm

pretendemos informação sobre os V. granitos, se pocível fotografias do produto e respectivos preços.é para Angola.
DIAMOND PROPERTIES DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LIMITED on May 29th, 2008 6:28 am

Please we need prices and pictures of varieties of products u have in stock as we are willing to be buying in large quantity from u,and possibly build a lifetime relationship.
Yours,
Adamu Sani Mohd,
Procurement Manager.
scarlet pina on June 2nd, 2008 8:03 am

Eestamos necesitando empresa que nos supla de Granito en Plancha
travertinos y marmoles on June 8th, 2008 10:21 am

deseo me envien catalogo de granitos y precios para establecer contacto comercial con ustedes gracias.