West Asia conflict: Chamarajanagar black granite exports drop by 10–15%

Mysuru: War makes victims well beyond the front lines. Chamarajanagar's famed black granite industry is one such sufferer, hit hard as global conflicts and tariffs unsettle prices and exports.Minister for mines and geology SS Mallikarjun, replying to a question by Congress MLC K Shivakumar, said black granite exports had dropped by 10–15%, causing an estimated Rs 2–3 crore loss in royalty to the state exchequer.He noted that exports to key markets such as China, Taiwan and Italy had already dipped during the Covid-19 pandemic, and the Russia–Ukraine war further disrupted global trade and logistics, deepening the slump.Official data shows the scale of the decline. The district exported 75,225 metric tonnes of black granite in 2022–23. This fell to 45,903 metric tonnes in 2023–24. In 2025–26, up to the end of Feb, exports stood at 52,886 metric tonnes.P Vrushabendrappa, a quarry owner, said the district's granite once saw strong demand in Europe and the US. "There was always a huge demand for black granite from this district in Europe and the US. However, after the Russia–Ukraine war broke out, container shortages disrupted shipments and severely affected exports. The US tariffs further added to our difficulties. Now the ongoing conflict in West Asia has again affected international trade. As a result, the entire granite industry is currently going through a serious crisis," he said.MLC Shivakumar said conflicts anywhere can trigger economic fallout elsewhere. "War anywhere in the world causes economic hardships elsewhere in the globe, and this situation is a clear example of that reality. It shows why conflicts are harmful not only for the countries involved but also for industries and livelihoods elsewhere. There is a need for govt to support sectors that are suffering due to global conflicts and geopolitical tensions," he said.