In the first half of 2026, the overall export volume of China’s abrasives industry increased. This analysis covers four product categories: brown fused alumina, white fused alumina, silicon carbide, and abrasive tools.
The combined export volume of these four product categories reached 848,600 metric tons in the first half of 2026, representing a year-on-year increase of 7.12%. However, the total export value amounted to USD 964 million, decreasing by 2.97% year on year.
By product category, the average export price of all four categories declined.
In the first half of 2026, brown fused alumina exports totaled 205,800 metric tons, down 8.39% year on year, while the export value reached USD 133 million, down 11.04%.
White fused alumina exports totaled 249,700 metric tons, increasing by 13.05% year on year, while the export value amounted to USD 181 million, decreasing by 2.44%.
Silicon carbide exports reached 205,700 metric tons, up 24.92% year on year, while the export value increased by 13.24% to USD 169 million.
Abrasive tool exports totaled 187,400 metric tons, increasing by 2.97% year on year, while the export value decreased by 5.54% to USD 482 million.
Monthly Export Volumes of the Four Product Categories
The following table shows the monthly export volumes of the four product categories during the first half of 2026.
As shown in the chart, brown fused alumina exports first declined and then increased, with the monthly volume falling to a low of 26,000 metric tons before rising to a high of 42,000 metric tons.
White fused alumina recorded the strongest performance, reaching 52,000 metric tons in May.
Silicon carbide exports showed relatively limited fluctuations, while abrasive tools experienced the greatest volatility. Abrasive tool exports surged to 43,000 metric tons in March before dropping sharply to 22,000 metric tons in April.
Monthly Export Values of the Four Product Categories
The following table shows the monthly export values of the four product categories during the first half of 2026.
As shown in the chart, the export value of brown fused alumina fell to USD 17.51 million in March before rebounding to USD 26.90 million in April. However, it declined again in May and June.
The export value of white fused alumina remained generally stable with an upward trend, reaching USD 33.15 million in June.
Silicon carbide recorded the smallest fluctuations, while abrasive tools showed the greatest volatility. The export value of abrasive tools surged to USD 110.31 million in March before nearly halving to USD 55.70 million in April.
Top Export Destinations in the First Half of 2026
The following section reviews the distribution of the top ten export countries and regions during the first half of 2026.
By export destination, China’s main markets for brown fused alumina in the first half of 2026 included the United States, India, Japan, South Korea, and Thailand.
The main export destinations for white fused alumina included India, Japan, the United States, South Korea, and Türkiye.
Silicon carbide was mainly exported to the United States, Japan, South Korea, the Netherlands, and Mexico.
The main export destinations for abrasive tools included India, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, and Brazil.
Additional Notes
- The above data were sourced from the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China and compiled by China Abrasives Network.
- Customs data are classified according to customs import and export commodity codes, which may not fully correspond with the classifications commonly used within the abrasives industry.
- The abrasive tools referred to in this article include other grinding wheels made of agglomerated abrasives or ceramics and their parts; other millstones, grindstones, and similar products made of agglomerated abrasives or ceramics and their parts; grinding wheels made of natural stone and their parts; millstones, grindstones, and similar products made of natural stone and their parts; hand sharpening or polishing stones; and other hand-operated grinding and polishing stones.
