Analysis on the evolution characteristics of barite international trade pattern based on complex networks

Barite is widely used in oil and gas drilling and strategic emerging industries, and its strategic position is becoming increasingly prominent. Based on a complex network approach, this paper constructs a global barite trade network (BTN) from 2000 to 2020, analyzes the evolutionary characteristics of the global barite trade pattern, and identifies the key trading countries and main trading communities. The findings show that the global BTN has become more connected and efficient. The import status of European countries has weakened, but there is still a high degree of activity in the barite trade. The import status of barite in North American countries has always been high, and the import status of barite in South American countries has been significantly enhanced. Asia is an important region for barite export trade. China and Turkey, important exporting countries in Asia, have become more active in barite export trade. The discourse and control of barite trade are more in the hands of developed countries in Europe and the United States, but emerging economies such as China and India are increasingly playing an important role. Further research revealed that the main trading communities of barite gradually evolved from two main trading communities dominated by China and Germany to six main trading communities dominated by China, India, Turkey, USA, Germany, and Morocco. The traditional dominant powers, China and Germany, have weakened in their communities, and the emerging dominant powers, the United States, India, and Turkey, have increased their power in their communities. •Analysis of global barite trade pattern using complex network theory.•The trade status and trade flows of key countries are discussed.•South American economies proliferate in barite trade network.•The main barite trading communities have gradually grown from two to six.•Main trading communities are centered on major exporting or importing countries.