Diatomite
World mine production and reserves, 2024–2025
Share of world mine production, 2025 · world total 2.5 million metric tons
- United States 28%
- Denmark 15%
- France 9.8%
- Argentina 7.5%
- Turkey 5.9%
- China 5.5%
- South Korea 4.7%
- Mexico 3.9%
- All other countries 19%
The United States accounted for 28% of world mine production of diatomite in 2025 (720,000 metric tons). The United States was a net exporter of diatomite in 2025. Canada supplied 55% of U.S. imports of diatomite in 2021–24, more than any other country. U.S. consumption of diatomite (apparent) fell from 943 thousand metric tons in 2021 to 680 thousand metric tons in 2025.
Producer log
14 countries listed separately
| Country | Mine production 2024 | Mine production 2025 | Share of world 2025 | Change on 2024 | Reserves |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 721 | 720 | 28% | −0.1% | 250,000 |
| Denmarkprocessed | 380 | 380 | 15% | 0% | not available |
| France | 250 | 250 | 9.8% | 0% | not available |
| Argentina | 185 | 190 | 7.5% | +2.7% | not available |
| Turkey | 150 | 150 | 5.9% | 0% | 44,000 |
| China | 140 | 140 | 5.5% | 0% | 120,000 |
| South Korea | 120 | 120 | 4.7% | 0% | 2,200 |
| Mexico | 100 | 100 | 3.9% | 0% | not available |
| Peru | 99 | 99 | 3.9% | 0% | not available |
| Germany | 50 | 50 | 2% | 0% | not available |
| Russia | 50 | 50 | 2% | 0% | not available |
| Spain | 50 | 50 | 2% | 0% | 57,000 |
| Japan | 40 | 40 | 1.6% | 0% | not available |
| New Zealand | 40 | 40 | 1.6% | 0% | not available |
| Other countries | 152 | 160 | 6.4% | not available | |
| World total | 2,530 | 2,500 | 100% | −1.2% | large |
United States
supply, trade and import sources
Net exporter
Net import reliance in 2025, as a percentage of apparent consumption. “E” marks years when the United States exported more than it imported.
2021E
2022E
2023E
2024E
2025E
Import sources, 2021–24
- Canada 55%
- Mexico 17%
- Germany 11%
- Argentina 6%
- Other countries 11%
| Item | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Production | 998 | 827 | 849 | 721 | 720 |
| Imports for consumption | 14 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 13 |
| Exports | 69 | 64 | 54 | 64 | 58 |
| Consumption, apparent | 943 | 777 | 807 | 671 | 680 |
| Employment, mine and plant, number | 370 | 370 | 370 | 370 | 370 |
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Diatomite chapter (PDF page 84). How to read these figures.