Perlite and vermiculite trade by country: top importers, exporters and prices
World trade in perlite and vermiculite was worth $248.6 million in 2024, about 1.63 million tonnes. That is a fall of 1% since 2017, and down 8% 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 | $248.6M | 1.63M t |
| 2023 | $268.8M | 1.71M t |
| 2022 | $298.0M | 1.83M t |
| 2021 | $286.8M | 1.88M t |
| 2020 | $230.7M | 1.59M t |
| 2019 | $251.3M | 1.83M t |
| 2018 | $269.0M | 1.82M t |
| 2017 | $250.3M | 1.68M t |
Top perlite and vermiculite exporting countries
South Africa is the largest exporter with 19% of world exports, followed by Turkey and Greece. The top three supply 53% between them, out of 89 exporting countries.
| Exporter | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | $46.5M | 19% |
| Turkey | $46.0M | 19% |
| Greece | $39.1M | 16% |
| China | $26.6M | 11% |
| Brazil | $11.0M | 4.4% |
| United States | $7.6M | 3.1% |
| Uganda | $6.9M | 2.8% |
| Zimbabwe | $6.5M | 2.6% |
| Hungary | $6.1M | 2.4% |
| Armenia | $5.4M | 2.2% |
| Spain | $5.0M | 2% |
| Germany | $4.7M | 1.9% |
Top importing countries and buyer markets
The largest importers are the United States (14%), South Korea (8%) and Mozambique (8%). 167 countries imported it, and the top three take 30% of the value.
| Importer | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $35.4M | 14% |
| South Korea | $20.3M | 8.2% |
| Mozambique | $19.0M | 7.6% |
| Japan | $12.5M | 5% |
| Canada | $11.3M | 4.6% |
| Germany | $10.6M | 4.3% |
| India | $9.7M | 3.9% |
| Spain | $9.6M | 3.9% |
| China | $7.8M | 3.1% |
| Russia | $7.5M | 3% |
| Belgium | $6.5M | 2.6% |
| Australia | $6.2M | 2.5% |
Average price per kg
The world average declared value was about $0.15 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, Brazil averaged $0.42 per kg and Turkey $0.09 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 Perlite and vermiculite (HS 2530.10) importers and exporters, worldwide: companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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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 2530.10: Vermiculite, perlite and chlorites: unexpanded. HS 2530 codes.
Common questions
Which countries export the most perlite and vermiculite?
South Africa exported $46.5 million in 2024, 19% of the world total, followed by Turkey (18%) and Greece (16%). In all, 89 countries reported exports of this product. The full ranking and map are on this page.
Which countries import the most perlite and vermiculite?
The United States imported $35.4 million in 2024, 14% of world imports, ahead of South Korea (8%) and Mozambique (8%). The top three importers together take 30%. Each country with its own page is linked from the table.
How big is the world trade in perlite and vermiculite?
It was worth $248.6 million in 2024, about 1.63 million tonnes. That is a fall of 1% since 2017. The peak year was 2022 at $298.0 million. 89 countries reported exports and 167 reported imports.
What is the average price of perlite and vermiculite per kg?
The world average declared value was about $0.15 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, Brazil averaged $0.42 per kg and Turkey $0.09 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 perlite and vermiculite?
The HS code for perlite and vermiculite is subheading 2530.10, 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 2530 page.
How can I find perlite and vermiculite buyers and suppliers?
The rankings here stop at countries; EximDataX goes down to the companies trading perlite and vermiculite, from direct customs feeds and mirror data. Tell us your markets to see them live.
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