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This table presents global production figures of diatomite, a naturally occurring, soft, siliceous sedimentary rock used in a variety of industrial applications such as filtration, absorbents, and as a mild abrasive. The data is organized by country or locality and spans from 2020 through estimated values for 2024, measured in thousand metric tons. Tracking production volumes by region is crucial for understanding market supply dynamics, assessing resource availability, and guiding investment decisions in industries reliant on diatomite. Additionally, these statistics help policymakers and businesses anticipate shifts in global trade and production capacity.
Analysis of the data reveals that the United States remains the leading producer, although its output declined from 998 thousand metric tons in 2021 to an estimated 721 thousand metric tons in 2024. Denmark also shows significant production volumes, peaking at 528 thousand metric tons in 2022 before dropping to an estimated 380 thousand metric tons in 2024. Turkey experienced a notable decrease from 237 thousand metric tons in 2022 to an estimated 150 thousand metric tons in 2024. Conversely, Argentina’s production steadily increased from 101 thousand metric tons in 2020 to an estimated 185 thousand metric tons in 2024, indicating growing capacity. South Korea’s production more than doubled from 49 thousand metric tons in 2022 to an estimated 120 thousand metric tons in 2024, reflecting a strong upward trend. Overall, world production peaked at around 3 million metric tons in 2021 but is estimated to decline to approximately 2.53 million metric tons by 2024, suggesting a contraction in global output in recent years.
| TABLE 5 | ||||||||||||
| DIATOMITE: WORLD PRODUCTION, BY COUNTRY OR LOCALITY1 | ||||||||||||
| (Thousand metric tons) | ||||||||||||
| Country or locality | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |||||||
| Algeria | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | e | 3 | e | |||||
| Argentina | 101 | r | 156 | r | 184 | r | 185 | r, e | 185 | e | ||
| Armeniae | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | |||||||
| Australiae | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | |||||||
| Brazil, beneficiated, marketable | 3 | 3 | e | 1 | 3 | r | 3 | e | ||||
| Chile | 21 | 27 | 24 | 17 | r | 17 | e | |||||
| China | 274 | 270 | r, e | 270 | r, e | 140 | r, e | 140 | e | |||
| Costa Rica | 13 | 27 | 24 | 21 | r | 21 | e | |||||
| Czechia | 46 | 18 | 44 | 38 | r | 38 | e | |||||
| Denmark2 | 423 | 444 | 528 | 375 | r | 380 | e | |||||
| Ethiopiae | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | |||||||
| Francee | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 | |||||||
| Germany, siliceous earth | 52 | r | 58 | r | 50 | 50 | e | 50 | e | |||
| Hungarye | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||||
| Japane | 40 | 40 | 40 | 40 | 40 | |||||||
| Kenya | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | e | ||||||
| Korea, Republic of, diatomaceous earth | 65 | 50 | 49 | 121 | r | 120 | e | |||||
| Mexicoe | 96 | 96 | 96 | 100 | 100 | |||||||
| Mozambique | 80 | 73 | 51 | 30 | r | 30 | e | |||||
| New Zealand, diatomaceous earthe | 40 | 40 | 40 | 40 | 40 | |||||||
| Peru | 85 | 95 | 105 | 99 | r | 99 | e | |||||
| Poland | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | e | 1 | e | |||||
| Russiae | 51 | 51 | 51 | 50 | 50 | |||||||
| Spaine, 3 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | |||||||
| Thailand | (4) | (4) | 1 | 1 | 1 | e | ||||||
| Turkey | 100 | 208 | 237 | 154 | r | 150 | e | |||||
| Uganda | (4) | (4) | (4) | e | (4) | e | (4) | e | ||||
| United States5 | 822 | 998 | 827 | 849 | 721 | |||||||
| Total | 2660 | r | 3000 | r | 2970 | r | 2660 | r | 2530 | |||
eEstimated. rRevised.
1Table includes data available through May 21, 2025. All data are reported unless otherwise noted; totals may include estimated data. Totals, U.S. data, and estimated data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.
2Data represent "extracted moler" (reported cubic meters times 2.3). Danish extracted moler figures, in thousand cubic meters, are as follows: 2020—184; 2021—193; 2022—230; 2023—163; and 2024—165 (estimated).
3Includes tripoli.
4Less than ½ unit.
5Sold or used by producers.
Source: United States Geological Survey Mineral Resources Program
See also: Diatomite statistics | Mineral commodity prices