Vermiculite
World mine production and reserves, 2024–2025
Share of world mine production, 2025 · world total 460,000 metric tons
- South Africa 35%
- United States 22%
- Brazil 11%
- China 8.6%
- Russia 8.6%
- Zimbabwe 6.5%
- Uganda 4.3%
- Bulgaria 2.2%
- All other countries 2.8%
South Africa accounted for 35% of world mine production of vermiculite in 2025 (160,000 metric tons). Among the main producers, Turkey changed most: −23% on 2024. The three largest producers, South Africa, the United States, and Brazil, together supplied 67%. South Africa supplied 46% of U.S. imports of vermiculite in 2021–24, more than any other country.
Producer log
12 countries listed separately
| Country | Mine production 2024 | Mine production 2025 | Share of world 2025 | Change on 2024 | Reserves |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa | 163 | 160 | 35% | −1.8% | 14,000 |
| United States | 100 | 100 | 22% | 0% | 25,000 |
| Brazil | 53 | 50 | 11% | −5.7% | 6,600 |
| China | 39 | 40 | 8.6% | +2.6% | 2,900 |
| Russia | 37 | 40 | 8.6% | +8.1% | not available |
| Zimbabwe | 28 | 30 | 6.5% | +7.1% | not available |
| Uganda | 24 | 20 | 4.3% | −17% | not available |
| Bulgaria | 10 | 10 | 2.2% | 0% | not available |
| Turkey | 13 | 10 | 2.2% | −23% | 11,000 |
| India | 2 | 2 | 0.4% | 0% | 1,600 |
| Uzbekistan | 1 | 1 | 0.2% | 0% | not available |
| Mexico | in “other” | in “other” | not available | ||
| World total | 470 | 460 | 100% | −2.1% | not available |
United States
supply, trade and import sources
25%
Net import reliance in 2025, as a percentage of apparent consumption.
202118
202214
202330
202424
202525
Import sources, 2021–24
- South Africa 46%
- Brazil 43%
- Zimbabwe 6%
- Uganda 5%
Estimated end uses in the United States
- Agriculture30%
- Lightweight concrete aggregates (including cement premixes, concrete, and plaster)16%
- Insulation15%
- Other39%
| Item | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Production | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Imports for consumption | 32 | 24 | 50 | 40 | 38 |
| Exports | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 5 |
| Consumption: Apparent, concentrate | 120 | 120 | 140 | 130 | 130 |
| Consumption: Reported, exfoliated | 68 | 67 | 59 | 59 | 55 |
| Employment, number | 70 | 70 | 70 | 70 | 70 |
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Vermiculite chapter (PDF page 212). How to read these figures.