Bentonite exports from the United States: data, top buyers and prices
The United States exported $196.4 million of bentonite in 2024 (683.4 thousand tonnes). It ranks 1st of 121 countries for exports of this product. The value was almost unchanged from 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $196.4M | 683.4K t |
| 2023 | $197.2M | 773.2K t |
| 2022 | $203.8M | 792.1K t |
| 2021 | $201.4M | 840.2K t |
| 2020 | $166.4M | 731.1K t |
| 2019 | $187.1M | 862.3K t |
| 2018 | $197.5M | 878.0K t |
| 2017 | $187.7M | 904.2K t |
Where the United States exports bentonite to
The largest buyer markets were Canada (27%), Japan (16%), Mexico (8%). Among the main buyer markets, Saudi Arabia grew fastest (+110% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | $53.7M | 27% |
| Japan | $32.0M | 16% |
| Mexico | $15.9M | 8.1% |
| China | $13.0M | 6.6% |
| Brazil | $8.0M | 4.1% |
| India | $7.9M | 4% |
| South Korea | $7.7M | 3.9% |
| Thailand | $6.2M | 3.2% |
| Saudi Arabia | $6.1M | 3.1% |
| Netherlands | $4.5M | 2.3% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.29 per kg, 53% above the world average of $0.19. This usually points to higher-grade or processed goods.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Bentonite imports to the United States
In 2024, the United States imported bentonite worth $17.2 million (53.3 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Most of the value came from Canada (38%), Mexico (24%), China (11%). Among the main suppliers, Argentina grew fastest (+238% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | $6.6M | 38% |
| Mexico | $4.1M | 24% |
| China | $1.9M | 11% |
| Turkey | $1.7M | 9.7% |
| Argentina | $723K | 4.2% |
| Austria | $348K | 2% |
| South Africa | $323K | 1.9% |
| France | $304K | 1.8% |
| Poland | $229K | 1.3% |
| Italy | $204K | 1.2% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United States?
The shipment records behind United States bentonite exports (HS 2508.10): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Direct customs feed: shipment-level records from the official customs source.
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.
Common questions
What is the value of bentonite exported by the United States?
The United States exported bentonite worth $196.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 683.4 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 1st of 121 countries worldwide, with 17% of world exports. The value was down 0% on 2023.
Which countries buy bentonite from the United States?
Canada was the largest buyer with 27% of the value ($53.7 million), followed by Japan (16%) and Mexico (8%). The top three together account for 52%, out of 110 buyer countries in total. Saudi Arabia grew fastest among the top ten, up 110% on the year.
What is the average export price of bentonite per kg?
The average declared export value was about $0.29 per kg in 2024, 53% above the world average of $0.19 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have exports of bentonite from the United States changed since 2017?
Exports went from $187.7 million in 2017 to $196.4 million in 2024, an increase of 5%. The peak was 2022 at $203.8 million. Over 8 years the average was $192.2 million a year.
Does the United States also import bentonite?
Yes. The United States imported $17.2 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Canada, Mexico and China. On balance the United States is a net exporter of this product, by about $179.2 million a year.
What is the HS code for bentonite?
The HS code for bentonite is subheading 2508.10. It sits in HS chapter 25 (salt; sulphur; earths, stone; plastering materials, lime and cement). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2508 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; the company-level detail sits in EximDataX, which has a direct customs feed for the United States. Tell us your product to see it live.
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