Bentonite trade by country: top importers, exporters and prices
World trade in bentonite was worth $1.15 billion in 2024, about 6.17 million tonnes. That is an increase of 43% since 2017, and up 1% on 2023.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
World trade by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1.15B | 6.17M t |
| 2023 | $1.14B | 5.94M t |
| 2022 | $1.15B | 6.18M t |
| 2021 | $1.05B | 5.80M t |
| 2020 | $872.9M | 5.24M t |
| 2019 | $891.6M | 6.08M t |
| 2018 | $871.2M | 5.70M t |
| 2017 | $807.6M | 5.56M t |
Top bentonite exporting countries
The United States is the largest exporter with 17% of world exports, followed by Turkey and China. The top three supply 44% between them, out of 121 exporting countries.
| Exporter | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $196.4M | 17% |
| Turkey | $172.0M | 15% |
| China | $141.6M | 12% |
| India | $99.3M | 8.6% |
| Netherlands | $90.8M | 7.9% |
| Greece | $53.8M | 4.7% |
| Czech Republic | $35.0M | 3% |
| Italy | $28.5M | 2.5% |
| Spain | $28.1M | 2.4% |
| Slovakia | $25.0M | 2.2% |
| Germany | $24.1M | 2.1% |
| Canada | $20.5M | 1.8% |
Top importing countries and buyer markets
The largest importers are Germany (9%), the Netherlands (7%) and Canada (7%). 200 countries imported it, and the top three take 22% of the value.
| Importer | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | $99.5M | 8.6% |
| Netherlands | $81.6M | 7.1% |
| Canada | $75.1M | 6.5% |
| Japan | $37.0M | 3.2% |
| Poland | $35.3M | 3.1% |
| France | $34.7M | 3% |
| Italy | $33.7M | 2.9% |
| Colombia | $32.5M | 2.8% |
| China | $29.7M | 2.6% |
| Chile | $28.3M | 2.5% |
| Spain | $27.6M | 2.4% |
| Belgium | $27.5M | 2.4% |
Average price per kg
The world average declared value was about $0.19 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, the Netherlands averaged $0.34 per kg and India $0.07 per kg, so grade and origin matter.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments worldwide. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Related product types
Who is behind these numbers in this market?
The shipment records behind Bentonite (HS 2508.10) importers and exporters, worldwide: companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 2508.10: Clays (excluding expanded clays of heading no. 6806): bentonite, whether or not calcined. HS 2508 codes.
Common questions
Which countries export the most bentonite?
The United States exported $196.4 million in 2024, 17% of the world total, followed by Turkey (15%) and China (12%). In all, 121 countries reported exports of this product. The full ranking and map are on this page.
Which countries import the most bentonite?
Germany imported $99.5 million in 2024, 9% of world imports, ahead of the Netherlands (7%) and Canada (7%). The top three importers together take 22%. Each country with its own page is linked from the table.
How big is the world trade in bentonite?
It was worth $1.15 billion in 2024, about 6.17 million tonnes. That is an increase of 43% since 2017. 2024 was the highest year since 2017. 121 countries reported exports and 200 reported imports.
What is the average price of bentonite per kg?
The world average declared value was about $0.19 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, the Netherlands averaged $0.34 per kg and India $0.07 per kg, so grade and origin matter. Read it as a benchmark: it blends all grades, origins and contract terms.
What is the HS code for bentonite?
The HS code for bentonite is subheading 2508.10, in chapter 25 (salt; sulphur; earths, stone; plastering materials, lime and cement). The first six digits are the same in every country; national tariffs add more. The full list of codes is on the HS 2508 page.
How can I find bentonite buyers and suppliers?
EximDataX shows the importers and exporters of bentonite by name, from shipment-level customs records updated weekly. Ask for a live look at the markets you sell to.
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.