The Barite Desk
Market data
Market
Who produces the world's barite? The 2026 supply map
World barite output reached about 8.7 million tonnes in 2025. Which countries mine it, who holds the reserves, and why barite demand is rising even as rig counts fall.
Barite price per ton: what the data shows and what drives it
US ground barite averaged $210 per tonne ex-works in 2025. Public price data for barite, why export prices differ by country, and the factors that move the price of a delivered tonne.
Barite is a critical mineral in the US and the EU. What it means for buyers
Barite is on the 2025 US critical minerals list and the EU critical raw materials list. Why it was included, what the lists change, and what buyers should watch.
Drilling
Barite or hematite? Choosing a weighting agent
A practical comparison of barite and hematite as weighting agents for drilling fluids: density, hardness, solids content and effect on equipment.
Barite for oil and gas drilling
How barite works as the weighting agent in drilling fluids, and why it suits the job.
API 13A barite specification explained
What the API 13A specification requires from drilling-grade barite: density, coarse residue, fine particles and soluble calcium, and why each limit matters.
Paints & coatings
Barite or calcite? Choosing a filler for paints and coatings
How barium sulphate and calcium carbonate compare as fillers in paints and coatings: density, chemical resistance, whiteness and cost per volume.
Barite in paint production
Why low iron and low silica make barium sulphate a strong filler for paints and coatings.
Technical
What is barite used for? Every major use, explained
Drilling fluids take most of the world's barite. Paints, plastics, rubber, brake pads, radiation shielding, batteries and medical imaging use the rest. A sourced guide to every major use.
Particle size explained: d50, d97 and mesh
What d50 and d97 mean on a mineral data sheet, how they relate to mesh sizes, and why particle size matters in paints, coatings and drilling fluids.
Is barium sulphate toxic? Safety facts for barite users
Barium sulphate is insoluble and not generally harmful, unlike soluble barium compounds. The exposure limits for barite dust, and why crystalline silica drives most hazard labels.
Trade
Where Turkish barite goes: export data for 2023 and 2024
Türkiye exported 339,000 tonnes of barite in 2024, up 14%. Its main buyers, how its export prices compare with other producers, and where the deposits are.
How to choose a barite supplier: a checklist for buyers
Ten questions to ask before you approve a barite supplier, covering reserves, testing, documents, consistency, packing and logistics, for drilling and coatings buyers.
HS codes for barite and barium sulphate
Which HS code applies to natural barite, witherite and precipitated barium sulphate, and which documents usually travel with a barite shipment.
Looking for a barite supplier?
We mine barite at our own sites in Konya and Isparta. Tell us your grade and volumes.