For the second time in succession the number of exhibitors at the two-yearly Stone+tec, the German stone exhibition held in Nuremberg, was down. Meanwhile, its arch rival, the annual CarraraMarmotec in Italy, which usually suffers in Stone+tec years, seemed busier than last year.

The German show had 1,057 exhibitors, down from an already reduced 1,172 last time, which was the first time in its 20-year history that it had seen a decline in exhibitors. One reason for the decline is that the Germans themselves are exhibiting in lower numbers - some because they have gone out of business in the face of the long economic decline in Germany, some in protest at the number of Chinese and Indian exhibitors, who they complain are undercutting the market. The decline in exhibitors has followed a fall in the number of visitors.

Rare British exhibitors at the show Realstone were not unhappy with the response to their stand, however. "It went very well. We got 103 enquiries," says Tina Bailey, office and sales manager. Realstone were sharing the stand with their sister companies Dimensional English Stone, their new tile business acquired as the result of Stonell\'s failed attempt to enter the tile market with a range of English limestones, and Block Stone.

Tina says there was interest in all the products, including the English limestone tiles that proved attractive to companies looking for an unusual and exclusive stone to add to their range.

In Italy, the number of stands was down slightly on last year at 412, on which there were about 700 companies represented, but there was a happier atmosphere as trade is picking up (exports increased 8.4% last year in volume and 3.2% in value, once again indicating the pressure on prices, while imports increased 11% in value and volume).

The Italians say the Germans are still their biggest customers, but, for the first time, quote the United Kingdom as having become a significant customer and the fastest growing in terms of sales in the EU, followed by France and Spain.

Outside the EU, sales to Russia are growing fastest, followed by Croatia and Turkey - and in these countries the value of exports is rising faster than the volume. In the Middle East, Italy\'s stone sales slumped last year (down 25% by value and 22% by volume) in the face of competition from the rest of the world. In the Far East sales are still falling slightly.

China increased its purchase of raw block from Italy by 22% and now accounts for more than half the block Italy exports. China\'s desire for block comes from its ability to process it cheaply.

The USA remains Italy\'s second biggest customer after Germany and last year sales to America increased 20% by volume and 8.9% by value.