Market research

Kaolin and kaolinic clays market in Saudi Arabia

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for kaolin and kaolinic clays in Saudi Arabia rose from 299.5 thousand tons in 2018 to 474.1 thousand tons in 2022, marking a substantial increase over the five-year period. This expansion was driven by growth in both domestic production and imports, with production climbing from 216.0 to 279.0 thousand tons and imports more than doubling from 83.5 to 195.2 thousand tons.

After a slight contraction in production in 2020, output rebounded sharply in 2021 and continued to grow in 2022. Imports began a steady rise from 2020 onward, accelerating in 2021 and 2022, and reaching 300.7 thousand tons by 2024, highlighting the ongoing demand for kaolin in the Saudi market.

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. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Saudi Arabia
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Saudi Arabia in kind, 2018-2022, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Saudi Arabia in value, 2018-2022, $ US
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 Saudi Arabia in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Saudi Arabia 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 Saudi Arabia in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Saudi Arabia 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 Saudi Arabia, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Saudi Arabia 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 Saudi Arabia in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Saudi Arabia 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 Saudi Arabia in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Saudi Arabia 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 Saudi Arabia, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Saudi Arabia 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 Saudi Arabia in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Saudi Arabia 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 Saudi Arabia in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Saudi Arabia 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 Saudi Arabia, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Saudi Arabia 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 Saudi Arabia in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Saudi Arabia 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 Saudi Arabia in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Saudi Arabia 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 Saudi Arabia, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Saudi Arabia 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 Saudi Arabia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Saudi Arabia was among the world's leading producers of kaolin and kaolinic clays from 2017 to 2020, ranking 24th globally by production volume.

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

After two years of growth, kaolin and kaolinic clays production in Saudi Arabia declined. In 2020, the country produced 213.0 K t, reflecting a moderate 6.2% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 3.4%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.1%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 227.0 K t, with the largest annual increase of 5.1% also occurring that year.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	4.9%	5.1%	(6.2%)	1.1%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports kaolin and kaolinic clays from Saudi Arabia

Exports in kind, K t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports bottomed in 2020 and peaked in 2019, with a fourfold difference between these years. In 2020, kaolin and kaolinic clays volumes leaving Saudi Arabia amounted to 0.0 K t, down 75.2% compared to 2019.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	n/a	n/a	(75.2%)	(22.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia's export structure in kind was strongly focused on the United Arab Emirates, which accounted for 85.2% of total flows, with other partners making up the remainder.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Saudi Arabia's kaolin and kaolinic clays exports stood at 4 K $ US, showing an 82.3% reduction compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 96.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -66.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	n/a	n/a	(82.3%)	(66.7%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of exports in value terms was highly concentrated, with the United Arab Emirates alone accounting for 96.8% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports kaolin and kaolinic clays to Saudi Arabia

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, cross-border shipments of kaolin and kaolinic clays to Saudi Arabia increased. In 2020, imports amounted to 100.5 K t, showing a 29.1% advance year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 5.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 77.9 K t, while the largest decline of 21.7% occurred in 2018.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(21.7%)	(6.7%)	29.1%	(1.9%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine (25.3% of imports in kind), the United Kingdom (24.8% of imports in kind), and China (8.7% of imports in kind) formed the main group of sources for kaolin and kaolinic clays imports to Saudi Arabia, with a combined share of 58.8% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, kaolin and kaolinic clays deliveries to Saudi Arabia totalled 23 407 K $ US, corresponding to a robust 11.0% gain compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 24%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.4%. The largest decline of 1.2% was recorded in 2019, while the largest increase of 13.1% occurred in 2018.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	13.1%	(1.2%)	11.0%	7.4%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017-2020, the United Kingdom (25.2% of imports in value terms), Ukraine (16.7% of imports in value terms), and China (15.2% of imports in value terms) remained the main markets for kaolin and kaolinic clays imports to Saudi Arabia in value terms, jointly accounting for 57.2% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io