Crushed And Ground Barite Sold Or Used By Processors In The United States, By State

This table presents detailed data on the quantity and value of crushed and ground barite sold or used by processors across various U.S. states. Barite, primarily used as a weighting agent in drilling fluids for oil and gas exploration, as well as in the manufacture of paints, rubber, and other industrial products, plays a critical role in multiple sectors of the economy. Tracking the production and utilization of processed barite by state offers insight into regional industrial activity, supply chain dynamics, and the overall health of industries reliant on this mineral.

Analysis of the data reveals that in 2023, the total quantity of crushed and ground barite processed in the United States slightly increased to 2.26 million metric tons from 2.22 million metric tons in 2022. Notably, Texas showed a significant rise in quantity processed, from 803,000 metric tons to 895,000 metric tons, accompanied by a substantial increase in value from $111 million to $219 million. Louisiana, while processing slightly less quantity (703,000 metric tons compared to 760,000 metric tons in 2022), saw its value rise markedly from $103 million to $124 million. The category labeled "Other," which includes states such as California and Georgia, maintained a relatively stable quantity but experienced a notable value increase from $107 million to $161 million. Overall, the total value of processed barite surged by over 57% to $504 million in 2023, indicating stronger market demand or higher prices despite only modest growth in volume.