Supply Trends and Regional Distribution Analysis of the Domestic Natural Stone Industry in Korea

This study aims to analyze the supply and demand trends and regional distribution characteristics of the stone industry through transaction records of the domestic natural stone market.The demand for natural stone is increasing globally, but domestic stone producers are facing financial difficulties due to the influx of low-cost stone, and the government is implementing various support policies, such as mandating the use of domestic stone.However, the influx of low-cost stones has led to management deterioration for domestic stone producers, prompting the government to implement various support policies such as mandating the use of domestic stones.An analysis of the natural stone transaction records from the Public Procurement Service revealed that granite was the main type of rock.The main trading items were natural stone curbs and natural stone slabs, with an average annual transaction amount of approximately 312.8 billion KRW from 2017 to 2021.A comparison of the stone distribution status between the metropolitan area and non-metropolitan areas showed that the metropolitan area had high demand, while non-metropolitan areas served as major supply sources.Cities such as Pocheon in Gyeonggi-do, Iksan in Jeollabuk-do, and Geochang in Gyeongsangnam-do play important roles as major stone suppliers.Based on these results, this study proposes fostering the stone industry tailored to regional characteristics, diversifying distribution channels, and establishing a sustainable supply chain for the sustainable development of the stone industry.Additionally, it emphasizes the need for close cooperation and support among the government, industry, and research institutions.