Perlite
World mine production and reserves, 2024–2025
Share of world mine production, 2025 · world total 4.6 million metric tons
- China 33%
- Turkey 30%
- Greece 18%
- United States 10%
- Hungary 1.7%
- Iran 1.5%
- Georgia 0.9%
- Slovakia 0.9%
- All other countries 3.7%
China accounted for 33% of world mine production of perlite in 2025 (1.5 million metric tons of 4.6 million metric tons). Greece supplied 94% of U.S. imports of perlite in 2021–24, more than any other country. The three largest producers, China, Turkey, and Greece, together supplied 81%. Net imports covered 23% of U.S. perlite consumption in 2025.
Producer log
14 countries listed separately
| Country | Mine production 2024 | Mine production 2025 | Share of world 2025 | Change on 2024 | Reserves |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | 1,500 | 1,500 | 33% | 0% | 32,000 |
| Turkey | 1,360 | 1,400 | 30% | +2.9% | not available |
| Greece | 840 | 840 | 18% | 0% | 180,000 |
| United States | 452 | 460 | 10% | +1.8% | 50,000 |
| Hungary | 77 | 80 | 1.7% | +3.9% | not available |
| Iran | 70 | 70 | 1.5% | 0% | 15,000 |
| Georgia | 39 | 40 | 0.9% | +2.6% | not available |
| Slovakia | 42 | 40 | 0.9% | −4.8% | 30,000 |
| Argentina | 32 | 30 | 0.7% | −6.2% | not available |
| Armenia | 29 | 30 | 0.7% | +3.4% | not available |
| Mexico | 29 | 30 | 0.7% | +3.4% | not available |
| New Zealand | 18 | 20 | 0.4% | +11% | not available |
| Philippines | 15 | 20 | 0.4% | +33% | not available |
| South Africa | 11 | 10 | 0.2% | −9.1% | not available |
| Other countries | 12 | 10 | 0.2% | not available | |
| World total | 4,520 | 4,600 | 100% | +1.8% | not available |
United States
supply, trade and import sources
23%
Net import reliance in 2025, as a percentage of apparent consumption.
202123
202233
202323
202430
202523
Import sources, 2021–24
- Greece 94%
- China 3%
- Other countries 3%
Estimated end uses in the United States
- Building construction products45%
- Horticultural aggregate15%
- Filter aids15%
- Other25%
| Item | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mine production, crude ore | 879 | 672 | 654 | 716 | 730 |
| Sold or used, processed crude perlite | 491 | 442 | 410 | 452 | 460 |
| Imports for consumption | 170 | 240 | 140 | 220 | 160 |
| Exports | 27 | 22 | 18 | 26 | 26 |
| Consumption, apparent | 630 | 660 | 530 | 650 | 590 |
| Employment, mine and mill, number | 150 | 150 | 150 | 150 | 150 |
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Perlite chapter (PDF page 148). How to read these figures.