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This table provides detailed data on the quantities and values of U.S. exports of aluminum oxide, boron carbide, silicon carbide, and metallic abrasives, broken down by country or locality and product type. These materials are critical in various industrial applications, including manufacturing, electronics, and abrasives industries, making their trade flows important indicators of economic activity and supply chain dynamics. Tracking export volumes and values helps stakeholders understand market demand, competitive positioning, and the global reach of U.S. mineral products.
Analysis of the 2023 to 2024 data reveals several notable trends. Total exports of crude aluminum oxide slightly decreased from 9,570 metric tons valued at $32.8 million in 2023 to 9,190 metric tons valued at $31.4 million in 2024, with Mexico remaining the largest importer, increasing its quantity from 3,960 to 4,200 metric tons and value from $8.59 million to $8.73 million. Silicon carbide crude exports rose significantly by 27% in quantity from 3,460 to 4,410 metric tons and by nearly 29% in value from $6.25 million to $8.08 million, with Mexico again showing strong growth, nearly doubling exports to 1,860 metric tons valued at $2.64 million. Ground and refined silicon carbide exports declined in quantity from 6,660 to 5,270 metric tons and in value from $21 million to $19.1 million, led by a decrease in shipments to Canada. Boron carbide exports remained relatively stable in value around $900,000 despite a drop in quantity from 48 to 30 metric tons, with emerging demand from Czechia and the United Kingdom. Metallic abrasives exports decreased in quantity from 24,100 to 19,300 metric tons but maintained a high value near $35 million, with Malaysia showing a remarkable increase from 5 to 466 metric tons and a value jump to $3.3 million, indicating shifting trade patterns in this sector.
| TABLE 5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. EXPORTS OF ALUMINUM OXIDE, BORON CARBIDE, SILICON CARBIDE, | ||||||||||||||||||
| AND METALLIC ABRASIVES, BY COUNTRY OR LOCALITY AND TYPE1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2024 | |||||||||||||||||
| Quantity | Value2 | Quantity | Value2 | |||||||||||||||
| Country or Locality | (metric tons) | (thousands) | (metric tons) | (thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Aluminum oxide, crude: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Brazil | 540 | 2960 | 333 | 1290 | ||||||||||||||
| Canada | 3040 | r | 5630 | r | 2900 | 5110 | ||||||||||||
| China | 160 | 1250 | 86 | 3320 | ||||||||||||||
| Germany | 446 | 5820 | 291 | 4160 | ||||||||||||||
| India | 188 | 1780 | 158 | 1420 | ||||||||||||||
| Japan | 270 | 3640 | 197 | 2960 | ||||||||||||||
| Korea, Republic of | 30 | 335 | 21 | 222 | ||||||||||||||
| Mexico | 3960 | 8590 | 4200 | 8730 | ||||||||||||||
| Slovenia | 143 | 44 | 52 | 17 | ||||||||||||||
| United Kingdom | 338 | 472 | 137 | 105 | ||||||||||||||
| Other | 456 | r | 2300 | 813 | 4100 | |||||||||||||
| Total | 9570 | r | 32800 | 9190 | 31400 | |||||||||||||
| Silicon carbide: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Crude: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Germany | 192 | 253 | 484 | 670 | ||||||||||||||
| Japan | 127 | 703 | 105 | 130 | ||||||||||||||
| Mexico | 948 | 1510 | 1860 | 2640 | ||||||||||||||
| Norway | 1320 | 1580 | 1340 | 1620 | ||||||||||||||
| United Kingdom | 840 | 1010 | 565 | 713 | ||||||||||||||
| Other | 34 | 1210 | 53 | 2310 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | 3460 | 6250 | 4410 | 8080 | ||||||||||||||
| Ground and refined: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Canada | 5770 | 9020 | 4490 | 6400 | ||||||||||||||
| Germany | 107 | 4520 | 174 | 5170 | ||||||||||||||
| Japan | 182 | 4990 | 171 | 5380 | ||||||||||||||
| Mexico | 349 | 1110 | 310 | 1020 | ||||||||||||||
| Netherlands | 18 | 31 | 1 | 28 | ||||||||||||||
| Poland | 25 | 33 | -- | -- | ||||||||||||||
| Other | 210 | r | 1330 | 127 | 1120 | |||||||||||||
| Total | 6660 | 21000 | 5270 | 19100 | ||||||||||||||
| Boron carbide: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Brazil | 5 | 82 | -- | -- | ||||||||||||||
| Czechia | -- | -- | 11 | 183 | ||||||||||||||
| Germany | 4 | 95 | 3 | 114 | ||||||||||||||
| India | 26 | 457 | 1 | 40 | ||||||||||||||
| Mexico | 3 | 130 | 4 | 152 | ||||||||||||||
| Netherlands | 4 | 20 | -- | -- | ||||||||||||||
| United Kingdom | 4 | 66 | 10 | 314 | ||||||||||||||
| Other | 1 | r | 58 | r | 1 | 94 | ||||||||||||
| Total | 48 | 907 | 30 | 898 | ||||||||||||||
| Metallic abrasives: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Canada | 6910 | 8330 | r | 4680 | 5800 | |||||||||||||
| China | 275 | 539 | 239 | 580 | ||||||||||||||
| Colombia | 274 | 305 | 252 | 277 | ||||||||||||||
| Germany | 557 | 2090 | 562 | 2630 | ||||||||||||||
| Malaysia | 5 | 51 | 466 | 3300 | ||||||||||||||
| Mexico | 15200 | 22000 | 12300 | 18300 | ||||||||||||||
| Peru | 162 | 198 | 19 | 92 | ||||||||||||||
| United Kingdom | 42 | 310 | 46 | 221 | ||||||||||||||
| Other | 666 | r | 2650 | r | 699 | 4130 | ||||||||||||
| Total | 24100 | 36500 | 19300 | 35400 | ||||||||||||||
rRevised. -- Zero.
1Table includes data available through May 13, 2025. Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.
2Free alongside ship value.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Source: United States Geological Survey Mineral Resources Program
See also: Abrasives, Manufactured statistics | Mineral commodity prices