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The table presents global vermiculite production figures by country or locality from 2019 through 2023, measured in metric tons. This data is crucial for understanding the supply dynamics of vermiculite, a mineral widely used in construction, agriculture, and industrial applications due to its insulating and soil-conditioning properties. Tracking production trends helps industries and policymakers assess market stability, identify leading producers, and anticipate potential supply constraints or opportunities for investment in mining and processing infrastructure.
Analysis of the data reveals that South Africa remains the dominant producer, with output fluctuating between 118,223 metric tons in 2020 and peaking at 171,898 metric tons in 2022 before slightly declining to 169,797 metric tons in 2023. The United States consistently reports a steady production of 100,000 metric tons annually, reflecting stable domestic supply. Brazil showed significant growth from 47,581 metric tons in 2019 to a peak of 70,913 metric tons in 2022, but production dropped notably to 52,638 metric tons in 2023. Uganda’s production has steadily increased from 9,674 metric tons in 2019 to an estimated 23,000 metric tons in 2023, indicating expanding mining activities. Conversely, Turkey experienced volatile output with a sharp rise to 21,230 metric tons in 2022 followed by a decline to 10,500 metric tons in 2023. Overall, global vermiculite production peaked at 493,000 metric tons in 2022 before decreasing to 458,000 metric tons in 2023, suggesting some market adjustments or supply disruptions in recent years.
| TABLE 4 | |||||||||||
| VERMICULITE: WORLD PRODUCTION, BY COUNTRY OR LOCALITY1 | |||||||||||
| (Metric tons) | |||||||||||
| Country or locality2 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | ||||||
| Brazil, concentrate | 47581 | 58821 | 70500 | 70913 | r | 52638 | |||||
| Bulgaria, concentratee | 10500 | 10000 | 10000 | 10000 | 10000 | ||||||
| Chinae | 31000 | 35000 | 39000 | 39000 | 33000 | ||||||
| India | 2232 | 1560 | 3486 | 2091 | r | 1537 | |||||
| Mexico | 148 | 104 | -- | r | -- | r | -- | e | |||
| Russia | 29900 | 28510 | 29000 | e | 29000 | e | 29000 | e | |||
| South Africa | 158013 | 118223 | 150104 | 171898 | r | 169797 | |||||
| Turkey | 1370 | 19230 | 3300 | 21230 | r | 10500 | |||||
| Uganda | 9674 | 14170 | 21754 | 22947 | r | 23000 | e | ||||
| United States, concentrate3 | 100000 | 100000 | 100000 | 100000 | 100000 | ||||||
| Uzbekistan | 1800 | 1700 | 3200 | -- | r | -- | e | ||||
| Zimbabwe | 25524 | r | 26388 | r | 27713 | r | 26380 | r | 28276 | ||
| Total | 418000 | r | 414000 | r | 458000 | r | 493000 | r | 458000 | ||
eEstimated. rRevised. -- Zero.
1Table includes data available through July 17, 2024. All data are reported unless otherwise noted; totals may include estimated data. Totals and estimated data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.
2In addition to the countries listed, Australia, Japan, and Kenya may have produced vermiculite, but available information was inadequate to make reliable estimates of output.
3Sold or used, rounded to the nearest 100,000 metric tons to avoid disclosing company proprietary data.
Source: United States Geological Survey Mineral Resources Program
See also: Vermiculite statistics | Mineral commodity prices