Diatomite: Movement

A modest trade led by the United States

What this tab covers How it flows between countries: the largest bilateral trade routes drawn on a world map, 2024 UN Comtrade export and import values with the top exporters and importers by share, plus shipping routes, chokepoints and trade restrictions.

Diatomite (HS 2512) is a modest trade, about $172 million of exports in 2024. The United States led with 35.0% of value, followed by Germany (15.4%), China (12.4%) and France (10.8%). Imports are fragmented: Brazil took 10.2%, Austria 9.7%, Italy 8.1% and Germany 7.8%. That spread reflects filter aids sold to many brewing, wine and food industries. The United States shipped about 58,000 t in 2025 and imported 13,000 t. The USGS stresses that freight limits how far most grades can travel.

Main trade routes, 2024

Chart: World map of the largest trade flows

Exporter (size = share of world exports) Importer (share of world imports) Largest bilateral flows (width = value) Shipping chokepoint UN Comtrade 2024, reported exports by the top four exporters of each traded form to their partners (US$). Bubbles: shares of reported world exports and imports for the main traded form. Hover a line or circle for values.

Diatomite · HS 2512

World exports 2024 $172.5 m sum of 40 reporting countries World imports 2024 $208.8 m sum of 40 reporting countries Top exporters, share of value United States 35% Germany 15.4% China 12.4% France 10.8% Canada 3.4% Italy 2.6% Top importers, share of value Brazil 10.2% Austria 9.7% Italy 8.1% Germany 7.8% Canada 6% United States 4.9% UN Comtrade, reporter declarations to the world, US$. Exports and imports are reported separately, so totals differ. Re-exporting hubs (Netherlands, Singapore, Switzerland, UAE) can appear large.