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This table presents detailed data on the quantities and values of boric acid and refined sodium borate compounds exported from the United States to various countries and localities. These minerals are essential raw materials in multiple industrial applications, including glass and ceramics manufacturing, agriculture, detergents, and pharmaceuticals. Tracking export volumes and values by destination provides insight into global demand patterns and the economic significance of the U.S. borate industry, highlighting key trade relationships and market dynamics that influence production and pricing strategies.
Analysis of the 2023 data reveals several notable trends compared to 2022. Total exports of boric acid increased from 239,000 to 253,000 metric tons, while the value rose from $200 million to $217 million, indicating stronger demand or higher prices. Refined borax exports decreased from 651,000 to 604,000 metric tons, and sodium borates also declined from 14,700 to 12,700 metric tons. China remains the largest importer of boric acid and refined borax, with boric acid exports increasing slightly from 83,100 to 80,500 metric tons and refined borax decreasing from 359,000 to 312,000 metric tons. Significant growth in boric acid exports occurred in Japan, rising from 20,200 to 42,800 metric tons, and in India, which nearly quadrupled boric acid exports from 333 to 1,270 metric tons and increased refined borax shipments from 31,500 to 45,400 metric tons. Conversely, exports to Indonesia saw a sharp decline in refined borax from 58,600 to 38,500 metric tons. These shifts underscore evolving trade patterns and highlight emerging markets alongside established partners.
| TABLE 3 | ||||||||||||||||
| U.S. EXPORTS OF BORIC ACID AND REFINED SODIUM BORATE COMPOUNDS, BY COUNTRY OR LOCALITY1 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| Boric acid2 | Boric acid2 | |||||||||||||||
| Quantity | Value3 | Refined borax4 | Sodium borates5 | Quantity | Value3 | Refined borax4 | Sodium borates5 | |||||||||
| Country or locality | (metric tons) | (thousands) | (metric tons) | (metric tons) | (metric tons) | (thousands) | (metric tons) | (metric tons) | ||||||||
| Argentina | -- | -- | (6) | 39 | -- | -- | -- | 32 | ||||||||
| Australia | 80 | r | 43 | r | 2050 | r | 76 | 397 | 490 | 3180 | 88 | |||||
| Bangladesh | 1190 | 1240 | 1570 | 305 | 845 | 868 | 2050 | 360 | ||||||||
| Brazil | 1510 | 1360 | 6360 | r | 223 | 2880 | 2600 | 9720 | 227 | |||||||
| Burma | -- | -- | 276 | -- | -- | -- | 78 | -- | ||||||||
| Canada | 1970 | 2000 | 39100 | r | 4860 | r | 2710 | 3640 | 41400 | 4920 | ||||||
| Chile | -- | -- | 460 | r | 996 | 1 | 4 | 20 | 221 | |||||||
| China | 83100 | 77800 | 359000 | r | 1220 | 80500 | 76200 | 312000 | 729 | |||||||
| Colombia | 40 | 69 | 4750 | 170 | 9 | 25 | 1650 | 126 | ||||||||
| Costa Rica | 4 | 123 | -- | 202 | 4 | 12 | 39 | 11 | ||||||||
| Ecuador | -- | -- | 375 | 13 | -- | -- | 790 | 82 | ||||||||
| Guatemala | -- | -- | 1040 | 58 | 20 | 17 | 1660 | 250 | ||||||||
| Honduras | -- | -- | 960 | 48 | -- | -- | 1020 | 242 | ||||||||
| India | 333 | r | 786 | r | 31500 | 2200 | 1270 | 3610 | 45400 | 2510 | ||||||
| Indonesia | -- | -- | 58600 | 47 | r | -- | -- | 38500 | 14 | |||||||
| Japan | 20200 | 21900 | 18100 | 498 | 42800 | 19700 | 20000 | 432 | ||||||||
| Korea, Republic of | 43000 | 33000 | 10900 | 23 | 34500 | 30000 | 11600 | 45 | ||||||||
| Malaysia | 8430 | 5830 | 39200 | 60 | 4480 | 4470 | 25900 | 60 | ||||||||
| Mexico | 7880 | 7460 | 32300 | 2170 | 5370 | 5960 | 27100 | 1130 | ||||||||
| Netherlands | 41200 | r | 24200 | r | 21100 | 279 | 41700 | 34700 | 32000 | 22 | ||||||
| New Zealand | -- | -- | 298 | 24 | 220 | 245 | 1260 | 24 | ||||||||
| Nicaragua | -- | -- | 431 | 28 | -- | -- | 321 | 44 | ||||||||
| Pakistan | 425 | 334 | 1030 | -- | 399 | 411 | 707 | -- | ||||||||
| Peru | -- | -- | 415 | 12 | -- | -- | 842 | 66 | ||||||||
| Philippines | 65 | 47 | 833 | 86 | 39 | 53 | 816 | 73 | ||||||||
| Saudi Arabia | 1040 | 1100 | 2570 | 136 | 2110 | 2250 | 2260 | -- | ||||||||
| Singapore | 1060 | 977 | 178 | 26 | 1470 | 1730 | 253 | 1 | ||||||||
| South Africa | 798 | 735 | 1490 | r | 38 | 1360 | 1400 | 1230 | 113 | |||||||
| Spain | 3500 | 1970 | -- | 10 | 2000 | 1250 | 1020 | -- | ||||||||
| Taiwan | 19700 | r | 14000 | r | 1650 | 125 | 20700 | 17700 | 1560 | 182 | ||||||
| Thailand | 1040 | 856 | 9390 | r | 147 | 1940 | 2010 | 10800 | 190 | |||||||
| United Kingdom | 43 | 97 | -- | 30 | 100 | 218 | -- | 14 | ||||||||
| Vietnam | 1160 | 916 | 3460 | 72 | 2150 | 2190 | 5710 | 72 | ||||||||
| Other | 1460 | 2750 | 2390 | 454 | 3010 | 4940 | 3050 | 467 | ||||||||
| Total | 239000 | r | 200000 | r | 651000 | r | 14700 | r | 253000 | 217000 | 604000 | 12700 | ||||
rRevised. -- Zero.
1Table includes data available through May 14, 2024. Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.
2United States Schedule B code 2810.00.0000.
3Free alongside ship valuation.
4Schedule B numbers 2840.11.0000 and 2840.19.0000.
5Schedule B numbers 2840.20.0000 and 2840.30.0000.
6Less than ½ unit.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Source: United States Geological Survey Mineral Resources Program
See also: Boron statistics | Mineral commodity prices