Soda ash: Stocks
Over a thousand years of natural reserves
What this tab covers How much is left and how much is held. For minerals and energy: reserves, current output, years of supply and recycling for the top five countries. For farm commodities: production, ending stocks and stocks-to-use for the top five producers (USDA, October 2026). It also covers inventories and stockpiles.Top five countries: reserves, output and years of supply
| Country | Reserves kt sodium carbonate (natural deposits) | Current output kt soda ash (natural, 2025e) | Years of supply | Recycling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 23,000,000 | 12,000 | 1917 | n/a |
| Turkey | 840,000 | 6,000 | 140 | n/a |
| Botswana | 16,000 | 290 | 55 | n/a |
| Kenya | 7,000 | 270 | 26 | n/a |
| Ethiopia | 400,000 | 18 | 22222 | n/a |
Recycling
Table covers natural soda ash only; China (38 Mt in 2025, mostly synthetic) is counted in the synthetic total of 52 Mt, which relies on practically inexhaustible salt and limestone (USGS 2026). Soda ash itself is not recycled, but glassmakers' use of cullet reduces consumption (USGS). World natural reserves are about 25 billion t; Wyoming trona is depleted at about 15 Mt of ore (8.3 Mt soda ash) a year.
Natural soda ash reserves total about 25 billion t, of which 23 billion t are in the United States and 840 Mt in Turkey. Against 19 Mt of natural output in 2025, that is over a thousand years. Synthetic supply relies on salt and limestone, which are practically inexhaustible. So geology is no constraint; cost and energy are. Wyoming trona is being depleted at about 15 Mt of ore a year. Soda ash itself is not recycled. Glassmakers' use of cullet reduces demand. US producer stocks were about 300,000 t at end-2025.
Reserves
World reserves 25,000,000 thousand metric tons, sodium carbonate (natural reserves only; synthetic not applicable) United States 92% Turkey 3% Ethiopia 2% Botswana 0% Kenya 0% Largest reserve holders, share of world reserves (USGS MCS 2026). Reserves are what is economic to extract today, not what exists.No soda ash is recycled by producers, but glass container makers use cullet, which reduces soda ash consumption.