Tantalum Market

The article analyzes the global tantalum market, forecasting a positive trend in consumption and market performance. From 2022 to 2030, the market is expected to see growth in both volume and value. Consumption patterns, production figures, import/export data, and price fluctuations are all examined in detail. Key consuming countries, such as Democratic Republic of the Congo, Germany, and Rwanda, are highlighted for their contributions to global consumption and production. The article also delves into import and export trends, including major importing and exporting countries. Price fluctuations over the years are analyzed as well, providing a comprehensive overview of the tantalum market.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for tantalum worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +4.5% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 5.6K tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +6.6% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $2.2B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Tantalum

In 2022, after ten years of growth, there was decline in consumption of tantalum, when its volume decreased by -0.6% to 4K tons. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Global consumption peaked at 4K tons in 2021, and then shrank modestly in the following year.

The global tantalum market revenue expanded to $1.3B in 2022, with an increase of 2.7% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Global consumption peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were Democratic Republic of the Congo (647 tons), Germany (640 tons) and Rwanda (623 tons), with a combined 48% share of global consumption.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the key consuming countries, was attained by Democratic Republic of the Congo (with a CAGR of +20.5%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Democratic Republic of the Congo ($252M), Germany ($241M) and Rwanda ($157M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2022, with a combined 49% share of the global market.

In terms of the main consuming countries, Democratic Republic of the Congo, with a CAGR of +20.7%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to market size over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of tantalum per capita consumption in 2022 were Rwanda (46 kg per 1000 persons), El Salvador (38 kg per 1000 persons) and Austria (11 kg per 1000 persons).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the key consuming countries, was attained by Democratic Republic of the Congo (with a CAGR of +16.7%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Tantalum

After ten years of growth, production of tantalum decreased by -1.1% to 3.6K tons in 2022. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 14%. Global production peaked at 3.6K tons in 2021, and then shrank modestly in the following year.

In value terms, tantalum production amounted to $1B in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 22%. Global production peaked at $1.1B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Democratic Republic of the Congo (647 tons), Rwanda (628 tons) and Germany (493 tons), with a combined 49% share of global production.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Democratic Republic of the Congo (with a CAGR of +20.5%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Tantalum

For the third year in a row, the global market recorded growth in supplies from abroad of tantalum, which increased by 16% to 1.6K tons in 2022. In general, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 25%. Global imports peaked at 1.7K tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, tantalum imports skyrocketed to $584M in 2022. Overall, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, global imports attained the peak figure at $638M in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports By Country

The United States was the major importing country with an import of around 759 tons, which finished at 46% of total imports. It was distantly followed by El Salvador (250 tons), Germany (148 tons), the Czech Republic (95 tons) and Indonesia (86 tons), together committing a 35% share of total imports. Japan (57 tons), Israel (50 tons) and the UK (28 tons) held a minor share of total imports.

Imports into the United States increased at an average annual rate of +6.5% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, El Salvador (+13.1%), Germany (+9.8%), the UK (+9.0%) and Israel (+1.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, El Salvador emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +13.1% from 2012-2022. By contrast, the Czech Republic (-1.0%), Japan (-1.2%) and Indonesia (-13.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. The United States (+20 p.p.), El Salvador (+10 p.p.) and Germany (+5.2 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global imports, while Indonesia saw its share reduced by -18% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United States ($281M) constitutes the largest market for imported tantalum worldwide, comprising 48% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was held by El Salvador ($66M), with an 11% share of global imports. It was followed by Indonesia, with an 8.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in the United States stood at +5.3%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: El Salvador (+12.9% per year) and Indonesia (-5.1% per year).

Import Prices By Country

The average tantalum import price stood at $355,415 per ton in 2022, increasing by 7.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, recorded a slight downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 an increase of 10% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $461,779 per ton. From 2014 to 2022, the average import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Indonesia ($558,878 per ton), while El Salvador ($263,441 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Indonesia (+9.3%), while the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Exports

World Exports of Tantalum

In 2022, approx. 1.3K tons of tantalum were exported worldwide; picking up by 20% against the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 21% against the previous year. The global exports peaked at 1.3K tons in 2012; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

In value terms, tantalum exports soared to $475M in 2022. Overall, exports, however, saw a slight reduction. The global exports peaked at $574M in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports By Country

The United States (336 tons), China (246 tons), Thailand (209 tons), Japan (157 tons) and Kazakhstan (137 tons) represented roughly 85% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by the Czech Republic (61 tons), committing a 4.7% share of total exports. Estonia (51 tons) took a little share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Estonia (with a CAGR of +17.2%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest tantalum supplying countries worldwide were the United States ($138M), China ($100M) and Japan ($74M), together accounting for 65% of global exports. Thailand, Kazakhstan, the Czech Republic and Estonia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 32%.

Among the main exporting countries, Estonia, with a CAGR of +13.4%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average tantalum export price amounted to $371,099 per ton, shrinking by -2.3% against the previous year. Overall, the export price saw a mild slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 12%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum at $459,287 per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($470,474 per ton), while Kazakhstan ($269,309 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Czech Republic (+0.3%), while the other global leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform