Market research

Kaolin and kaolinic clays market in Australia and New Zealand

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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"Australia and New Zealand" region includes following countries:

Australia

Christmas Island

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Heard Island and McDonald Islands

New Zealand

Norfolk Island

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the kaolin and kaolinic clays market in Australia and New Zealand saw considerable volatility. Production volume fell sharply in 2019 to 178.2 thousand tons from 259.5 thousand tons the previous year, with market size contracting to 175.1 thousand tons. A rebound followed in 2020 as production recovered to 221.1 thousand tons and market volume reached 218.8 thousand tons. Growth continued into 2021, with output rising to 240.1 thousand tons and the market expanding to 229.7 thousand tons.

In 2022, production climbed to 253.9 thousand tons, and the market grew to 243.8 thousand tons. This increase was primarily fueled by the commissioning of Stage 1 of the Wickepin Kaolin Project processing plant in Western Australia, which directly added new production capacity to the market. Furthermore, Sibelco's announced greenfield expansion plan, involving a significant investment to increase clay production capacity from 2024, underscored sustained industry investment and confidence in future growth.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2022
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2025
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2025
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2022
  2. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2022
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2025
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2025
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2022
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Australia and New Zealand
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2022, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2022
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2022, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2022
  3. 5.2.3. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2022
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Australia by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Australia by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Australia, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Australia by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Australia by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Australia by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Australia, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Australia by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Australia by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Australia by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Australia, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Australia by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Australia by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Australia by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Australia, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Australia by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2025
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production kaolin and kaolinic clays in Australia and New Zealand

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of kaolin and kaolinic clays, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of kaolin and kaolinic clays, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Australia and New Zealand have seen their production of kaolin and kaolinic clays rise for the second year in a row. In 2021, output reached 240.1 K t, marking an 8.6% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, overall production declined by 7.5%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 2.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 178.2 K t, when output fell by 31.3%, the steepest drop in the period. In contrast, 2020 saw the largest increase, with production jumping by 24.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(31.3%)	24.1%	8.6%	(2.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

The value of kaolin and kaolinic clays production in Australia and New Zealand has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, production was valued at 109.9 M $ US, showing a moderate rise of 6.4% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, however, production value decreased by 16.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -5.8%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 91.1 M $ US, when it dropped by 30.7%, the most significant decline. The largest increase occurred in 2020, with a 13.4% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(30.7%)	13.4%	6.4%	(5.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports kaolin and kaolinic clays from Australia and New Zealand

Exports in kind, t

After two years of decline, exports of kaolin and kaolinic clays from Australia and New Zealand rebounded in 2021. That year, exports totaled 24 402 t, a substantial increase of 61.4% from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 25.3%, averaging an annualized rate of 7.8%. The lowest export volume was in 2020 at 15 121 t, which saw a decline of 13.3%, the largest drop in the period.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(10.4%)	(13.3%)	61.4%	7.8%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2018 and 2021, the export structure for kaolin and kaolinic clays in kind was relatively balanced rather than concentrated. China accounted for 24.0% of exports, Japan for 12.5%, and Thailand for 7.3%, together making up 43.9% of total flows. The remaining 56.1% was distributed among many other countries.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year downturn, exports of kaolin and kaolinic clays from Australia and New Zealand increased in 2021. Exports reached 11 170 K $ US, up by 58.2% from the year before. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports rose by 13.3%, with a CAGR of 4.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 7 062 K $ US, when exports fell by 20.8%, the sharpest decline.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(9.6%)	(20.8%)	58.2%	4.2%

Source: SHEV.io

Data from 2018 to 2021 show that exports of kaolin and kaolinic clays in value terms were not heavily concentrated on a few key markets. China represented 18.7% of exports, Japan 12.2%, and Indonesia 8.1%, together accounting for 39.0% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Imports kaolin and kaolinic clays to Australia and New Zealand

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, Australia and New Zealand imported approximately 13 997 t of kaolin and kaolinic clays, a modest increase of 9.3% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 5.6%, with a CAGR of 1.8%. The lowest import volume was in 2020 at 12 809 t, which saw an 11.1% decline, the largest drop. The highest volume was in 2019 at 14 415 t.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	8.8%	(11.1%)	9.3%	1.8%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, the main suppliers of kaolin and kaolinic clays to Australia and New Zealand in kind were the United States (55.3% of imports), China (11.5%), and Germany (6.3%). Together, these three countries comprised 73.1% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, imports of kaolin and kaolinic clays into Australia and New Zealand declined in 2021. Imports amounted to 7 498 K $ US, down by 2.4% from the previous year. However, over the 2018-2021 period, imports increased by 13.9%, averaging an annualized rate of 4.4%. The highest value was in 2020 at 7 686 K $ US, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 12.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	12.8%	3.5%	(2.4%)	4.4%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2018 and 2021, the leading suppliers of kaolin and kaolinic clays to Australia and New Zealand in value terms were the United States (57.8% of imports), Germany (10.9%), and China (10.0%). Their combined share reached 78.6% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io