China is the world's largest producer of magnesium oxide and a major exporter of magnesia.
China accounts for approximately two-thirds of global magnesium oxide production capacity, and its magnesite reserves represent about 70% of the world's total.
China's magnesite resources are highly concentrated, with roughly 90% located in Liaoning Province; key production areas include Dashiqiao, Haicheng, and Yingkou.
While China's annual magnesium oxide output is massive, the product mix is dominated by standard-grade products with purity levels below 95%. Domestic annual production capacity for high-purity magnesium oxide (MgO content >99%) is less than 400,000 tonnes, falling well short of the annual demand of approximately 1 million tonnes, resulting in a long-standing reliance on imports.
Raw material sources vary among other major global producers: in the United States, about 60% of magnesium products are derived from brine; in Western Europe, approximately 70% of magnesium oxide is produced from magnesite and dolomite; in Eastern Europe, magnesium oxide is obtained primarily (over 90%) through the calcination of magnesite, with most products being refractory-grade; and in Asia, while Japan possesses significant magnesium oxide production capacity, it relies on imports for 70%–80% of its refractory-grade products.