Market research

Kaolin and kaolinic clays market in MENA

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"MENA" region includes following countries:

Algeria

Bahrain

Djibouti

Egypt

Israel

Jordan

Iran

Iraq

Qatar

Kuwait

Lebanon

Libya

Malta

Morocco

the United Arab Emirates

Oman

Saudi Arabia

Syria

Tunisia

Yemen

Earlier Report Observations

The MENA market for kaolin and kaolinic clays began the period at 3.7 million tons in 2018, boosted by record consumption driven specifically by demand from the paper, ceramic, and construction industries. Growth continued into 2019, reaching 3.8 million tons, and stabilized at a similar level in 2020.

Market volume experienced significant volatility in the following years. It contracted sharply to 3.1 million tons in 2021, primarily due to a notable drop in domestic production. A strong rebound occurred in 2022, with the market surging to 4.3 million tons, its highest point in the observed period.

Available indicators for 2023 pointed to market stability, followed by a recovery in consumption during 2024, which increased by 5.8% to an estimated 4.5 million tons, signaling a return to growth after previous fluctuations.

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, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    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, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2022
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in MENA
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in MENA 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 Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  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 Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ 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 Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  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 Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ 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 Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  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 Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ 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 Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  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 Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ 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, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
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 MENA

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of kaolin and kaolinic clays, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

MENA's production of kaolin and kaolinic clays has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 3,150 thousand tons, marking a 17.3% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 6.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 2,603 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 12.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in MENA in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(12.3%)	3.2%	17.3%	2.0%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

MENA's production value of kaolin and kaolinic clays has risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 579.1 million US dollars, representing a strong 14.7% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 41.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 12.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in MENA in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	7.0%	15.5%	14.7%	12.3%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports kaolin and kaolinic clays from MENA

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, MENA's exports of kaolin and kaolinic clays declined. In 2020, the region exported 75 thousand tons, showing a 25.8% year-over-year drop. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 12.9%, with an average annual decline of 4.5%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 101 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 10.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	6.2%	10.5%	(25.8%)	(4.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, India (8.7% of exports in volume), Spain (3.1%), and France (3.0%) were significant buyers of kaolin and kaolinic clays from MENA. However, their combined share reached only 14.9% of total exports in volume, with the remaining 85.1% distributed among numerous other trading partners.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year uptick, MENA's exports of kaolin and kaolinic clays in value terms declined. In 2020, export value amounted to 13.8 million US dollars, which is 27.4% lower year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 16.4%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 5.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 19.0 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 29.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	29.6%	23.7%	(27.4%)	5.2%

Source: SHEV.io

During 2017-2020, kaolin and kaolinic clays from MENA were traded with many countries. Even the largest destinations—Spain, India, and Turkey—together represented only 22.3% of total exports in value terms.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports kaolin and kaolinic clays to MENA

Imports in kind, K t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2017, while the highest was in 2019, reflecting a 1.8-fold gap between these years. In 2020, MENA's imports of kaolin and kaolinic clays reached 728 thousand tons, down by 38.4% compared to the previous year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 1,182 thousand tons, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 72.1%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	72.1%	3.5%	(38.4%)	3.2%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, India (23.0% of imports in volume), Spain (18.7%), and the United Kingdom (16.6%) stood out as the main sources for MENA's imports, together representing 58.3% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

MENA's imports of kaolin and kaolinic clays in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported a total of 148.1 million US dollars' worth, representing a robust 16.2% fall compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 5.7%, with an average annual decline of 1.9%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 148.1 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 16.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	16.5%	(3.3%)	(16.2%)	(1.9%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, MENA's imports of kaolin and kaolinic clays in value terms relied on a wide range of partner countries. The United Kingdom (25.9% of imports in value), Spain (9.2%), and China (8.5%) together accounted for just 43.7% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io