Kaolin and kaolinic clays market in Cuba

Earlier Report Observations

The Cuban market for kaolin and kaolinic clays contracted sharply from 2 859 t in 2018 to 682 t in 2022, driven by a steep decline in domestic production from 2 700 t to 500 t over the same period. This downturn occurred alongside sustained scientific evaluation of Cuban kaolinic clays for producing low-carbon LC3 cement, highlighting their potential as a strategic raw material for the construction industry's energy transition, though these research efforts did not reverse the immediate production slump.

Imports fluctuated significantly, peaking at 1 205 t in 2023, indicating a growing reliance on foreign supply to meet domestic demand as local output fell. Concurrent petrographic and mineragraphic studies of deposits like Dumañuecos confirmed favorable kaolin content for cement and pozzolanic materials, reinforcing the mineral's long-term industrial relevance despite operational challenges such as partial flooding at the quarry site.

By 2024, sources continued to emphasize the importance of domestic kaolinic clays for sustainable cement production and Cuba's mineral resource strategy, though available trade data shows imports remained essential to supplement the low production volume, with exports remaining negligible throughout the period.

Production kaolin and kaolinic clays in Cuba

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of kaolin and kaolinic clays, 2017-2020

World map of production of kaolin and kaolinic clays, 2017-2020

The market showed significant volatility during this period. Production levels fluctuated considerably, with imports varying by 1.8 times between the low point in 2017 and the high point in 2018. In 2020, Cuba produced 2 000 tons of kaolin and kaolinic clays, representing a 4.8% decrease compared to 2019. The highest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 700 tons. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019 with a 22.2% drop, while the largest increase was seen in 2018 with an 80.0% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Cuba in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports kaolin and kaolinic clays from Cuba

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Cuba exported 2.5 tons of kaolin and kaolinic clays, showing a significant year-over-year increase of 26.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cuba in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Italy was the dominant buyer of kaolin and kaolinic clays from Cuba, accounting for 100.0% of total exports in volume terms.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Cuba in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Cuba's cross-border shipments of kaolin and kaolinic clays reached 0.1 thousand US dollars, marking a strong 25.0% increase compared to the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cuba in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During the 2017-2020 period, Italy clearly dominated as the primary buyer of kaolin and kaolinic clays from Cuba, representing 100.0% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Cuba in value, 2017-2020

Imports kaolin and kaolinic clays to Cuba

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited considerable volatility during these years. Import volumes reached their peak in 2017 and hit their lowest point in 2018, with a 5.3-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Cuba imported 257.6 tons of kaolin and kaolinic clays, reflecting a 43.0% decrease compared to the previous year. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 159.3 tons. The most significant decline occurred in 2018 with an 81.0% drop, while the largest increase was observed in 2019 with a 183.5% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cuba in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, China (37.8% of import volume), Italy (27.9% of import volume), and Spain (16.3% of import volume) were the largest contributors to Cuba's kaolin and kaolinic clay imports, collectively accounting for 82.0% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Cuba in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The market demonstrated notable volatility throughout this period. Import values varied by 3.3 times between the high point in 2017 and the low point in 2018. In 2020, Cuba's foreign supplies of kaolin and kaolinic clays amounted to 180.3 thousand US dollars, indicating a 51.3% contraction from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 129.0 thousand US dollars. The most substantial decline occurred in 2018 with a 70.1% decrease, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 with a 187.0% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cuba in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—China, Italy, and Spain—collectively represented 75.4% of the total import value of kaolin and kaolinic clays to Cuba.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Cuba in value, 2017-2020