Which Country Imports the Most Molybdenum Ores and Concentrates in the World?

Uranium And Thorium Ores May 28, 2018

Blog Blog / Mining / Uranium And Thorium Ores

Author: Sergey Avramenko

PositionHead of Global Markets Research Team

In 2016, approx. 251K tonnes of molybdenum ore were imported worldwide; falling by -9.4% against the previous year level. Overall, molybdenum ore imports continue to indicate a mild reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2010, when import increased by 48% year-to-year. Global molybdenum ore import peaked of 323K tonnes in 2011; however, from 2012 to 2016, it stood at a somewhat lower level.

In value terms, molybdenum ore imports amounted to $1.9B in 2016. Overall, molybdenum ore imports continue to indicate a drastic contraction. Over the period under review, global molybdenum ore imports attained its maximum level of $8.9B in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2016, it failed to regain its strength.

Top Molybdenum Ore Importing Countries in the World

1. Japan (289.2 million USD)

2. Netherlands (239.9 million USD)

3. South Korea (232.0 million USD)

4. USA (216.0 million USD)

5. Belgium (165.0 million USD)

6. China (129.3 million USD)

7. Chile (120.3 million USD)

8. United Kingdom (89.2 million USD)

9. India (79.7 million USD)

10. Italy (60.3 million USD)

11. Sweden (58.8 million USD)

12. Thailand (27.4 million USD)

Molybdenum Ore Imports By Country

The imports of the twelve major importers of molybdenum ore, namely the Netherlands, Japan, South Korea, Chile, China, Belgium, the U.S., Thailand, the UK, India, Italy, and Sweden, represented more than two-thirds of total import.

From 2007 to 2016, the most notable growth rate of molybdenum ore imports, among the main importing countries, was attained by Thailand (+137.3% per year), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Japan ($289M), the Netherlands ($240M) and South Korea ($232M) appeared as the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2016, together accounting for 40% of global imports.The U.S., Belgium, China, Chile, the UK, India, Italy, Sweden and Thailand lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 49%.

Thailand (+126.6% per year) experienced the highest rates of growth with regard to the molybdenum ore imports, among the main importing countries, over the last 9 years, while the other global leaders experienced a decline in the imports figures.

Molybdenum Ore Import Prices By Country

The average molybdenum ore import price stood at $7,609 per tonne in 2016, falling by -16.1% against the previous year. Overall, molybdenum ore import price continues to indicate a deep decline. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2011, when import increased by 10% against the previous year level. Over the period under review, average molybdenum ore import price attained its maximum level of $34 per kg in 2008; however, from 2009 to 2016, it failed to regain its strength.

Import prices varied noticeably by country of destination. the country with the highest import prices was the U.S. ($15 per kg), while Thailand ($2,427 per tonne) was among the lowest.

From 2007 to 2016, the most notable growth rate of molybdenum ore import prices was attained by Thailand (-4.5% per year), while the other global leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

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