Brazilian granite imports register significant growth

HIGH DEMAND for finished Brazilian granite in South Africa has translated into growing volumes for Gauteng-based Interlogistics. “We are bringing in a lot of the finished yellow and green granite from Brazil,” says managing director Stefano Vigoriti. “South Africa produces its own red and black granite, which is shipped out in containers because it has become cheaper to ship a 25ton slab in a box than it is to ship as bulk.” According to Vigoriti there is resistance from shipping lines to containerising these granite slabs because they damage the interior of the box, but rising bulk rates have seen a number of forwarders opting for the cheaper box option. “Our main focus until now has been the European market, but this year we will focus on growing Brazil and the Far East trades,” says Vigoriti, who established the company six years ago.