With 15,000 tons imported in 2024, Morocco has emerged as the second-largest buyer of silicates in the Middle East and North Africa region, trailing only behind Turkey. According to data from IndexBox, Morocco now accounts for 13% of all regional silicate imports. Turkey remains the dominant importer, bringing in 33,000 tons—29% of the total.
Saudi Arabia rounds out the top three with 11%, followed by the UAE (7%), Jordan (6.6%), Syria (5.5%), and Yemen (4.9%). While Turkey’s import volume has held steady, several countries have seen significant growth in demand. Israel stands out with the fastest growth rate between 2013 and 2024, recording an average annual increase of 14.8%. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar have also posted noteworthy gains during the same period.
By contrast, Morocco’s silicate imports have been trending downward, declining at an average rate of 5.8% annually. Other countries showing a similar drop include the UAE, Jordan, Syria, and Yemen.
In terms of value, Saudi Arabia dominates the regional market with $48 million worth of silicate imports in 2024—accounting for a staggering 44% of total spending. Turkey comes in second with 17%, while Morocco ranks third at 6.6%.
Silicates—particularly sodium silicate—are widely used across both industrial and domestic sectors. They play key roles as additives in detergents, corrosion inhibitors, and binders in construction materials. They’re also essential in glass production, paper manufacturing, ceramics, certain food formulations, paints, and refractory materials.
