Overview of the Global Market for Chromium Ores and Concentrates

Market Size for Chromium Ores and Concentrates

In 2020, the global chromium ore and concentrate market decreased by -X% to $X for the first time since 2016, thus ending a three-year rising trend. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the period from 2007 to 2020; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2010 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Global consumption peaked at $X in 2019, and then declined markedly in the following year.

Production of Chromium Ores and Concentrates

In value terms, chromium ore and concentrate production dropped remarkably to $X in 2020 estimated in export prices. Over the period under review, the total production indicated a measured expansion from 2007 to 2020: its value increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the last thirteen-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2010 with an increase of X% year-to-year. Global production peaked at $X in 2011; however, from 2012 to 2020, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

South Africa (X tonnes) constituted the country with the largest volume of chromium ore and concentrate production, accounting for X% of total volume. Moreover, chromium ore and concentrate production in South Africa exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Kazakhstan (X tonnes), twofold. Turkey (X tonnes) ranked third in terms of total production with a X% share.

From 2007 to 2020, the average annual growth rate of volume in South Africa totaled +X%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Kazakhstan (+X% per year) and Turkey (+X% per year).

Exports of Chromium Ores and Concentrates

Exports

In 2020, after five years of growth, there was decline in overseas shipments of chromium ores and concentrates, when their volume decreased by -X% to X tonnes. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a notable increase from 2007 to 2020: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the last thirteen-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2010 with an increase of X% year-to-year. Over the period under review, global exports attained the peak figure at X tonnes in 2019, and then dropped slightly in the following year.

In value terms, chromium ore and concentrate exports shrank sharply to $X in 2020. Overall, total exports indicated slight growth from 2007 to 2020: its value increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the last thirteen-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2020 figures, exports decreased by -X% against 2017 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2008 when exports increased by X% y-o-y. Global exports peaked at $X in 2011; however, from 2012 to 2020, exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

South Africa dominates chromium ore and concentrate exports structure, finishing at X tonnes, which was approx. X% of total exports in 2020. It was distantly followed by Turkey (X tonnes), creating a X% share of total exports. The following exporters - Kazakhstan (X tonnes), Zimbabwe (X tonnes), Oman (X tonnes) and Pakistan (X tonnes) - together made up X% of total exports.

From 2007 to 2020, average annual rates of growth with regard to chromium ore and concentrate exports from South Africa stood at +X%. At the same time, Zimbabwe (+X%) and Oman (+X%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Zimbabwe emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +X% from 2007-2020. By contrast, Pakistan (-X%), Kazakhstan (-X%) and Turkey (-X%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of South Africa (+X p.p.) and Zimbabwe (+X p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global exports from 2007-2020, the share of Pakistan (-X p.p.), Kazakhstan (-X p.p.) and Turkey (-X p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest chromium ore and concentrate supplier worldwide, comprising X% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Turkey ($X), with a X% share of global exports. It was followed by Kazakhstan, with a X% share.

In South Africa, chromium ore and concentrate exports expanded at an average annual rate of +X% over the period from 2007-2020. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Turkey (-X% per year) and Kazakhstan (-X% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average chromium ore and concentrate export price stood at $X per tonne in 2020, which is down by -X% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a pronounced curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2008 when the average export price increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average export prices attained the maximum at $X per tonne in 2011; however, from 2012 to 2020, export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2020, the country with the highest price was Pakistan ($X per tonne), while Zimbabwe ($X per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2020, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Pakistan, while the other global leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Imports of Chromium Ores and Concentrates

Imports

In 2020, global imports of chromium ores and concentrates dropped slightly to X tonnes, with a decrease of -X% compared with the year before. In general, total imports indicated a prominent increase from 2007 to 2020: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the last thirteen-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2020 figures, imports increased by +X% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when imports increased by X% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tonnes, and then contracted slightly in the following year.

In value terms, chromium ore and concentrate imports fell dramatically to $X in 2020. Overall, total imports indicated a mild increase from 2007 to 2020: its value increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the last thirteen-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2020 figures, imports increased by +X% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when imports increased by X% y-o-y. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X, and then shrank significantly in the following year.

Imports by Country

China represented the main importing country with an import of about X tonnes, which reached X% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Mozambique (X tonnes), making up a X% share of total imports. Hong Kong SAR (X tonnes) occupied a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2007 to 2020, average annual rates of growth with regard to chromium ore and concentrate imports into China stood at +X%. At the same time, Mozambique (+X%) and Hong Kong SAR (+X%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Mozambique emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +X% from 2007-2020. From 2007 to 2020, the share of Mozambique and China increased by +X% and +X% percentage points, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported chromium ores and concentrates worldwide, comprising X% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Mozambique ($X), with a X% share of global imports.

From 2007 to 2020, the average annual growth rate of value in China totaled +X%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Mozambique (+X% per year) and Hong Kong SAR (+X% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average chromium ore and concentrate import price stood at $X per tonne in 2020, with a decrease of -X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed a perceptible contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2011 an increase of X% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per tonne. from 2012 to 2020, the growth in terms of the average import prices failed to regain the momentum.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2020, the country with the highest price was China ($X per tonne), while Mozambique ($X per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2020, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mozambique, while the other global leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :

What are the largest markets for chromium ores and concentrates in the world?

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The country with the largest volume of chromium ore and concentrate consumption was China (14M tonnes), accounting for 31% of total volume. Moreover, chromium ore and concentrate consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, Kazakhstan (6.3M tonnes), twofold. The third position in this ranking was occupied by Turkey (5.5M tonnes), with a 12% share.

What are the largest producers of chromium ores and concentrates in the world?

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South Africa (17M tonnes) remains the largest chromium ore and concentrate producing country worldwide, accounting for 41% of total volume. Moreover, chromium ore and concentrate production in South Africa exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Kazakhstan (7M tonnes), twofold. The third position in this ranking was occupied by Turkey (6.3M tonnes), with a 15% share.

What are the leading exporters of chromium ores and concentrates in the world?

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In value terms, South Africa ($1.5B) remains the largest chromium ore and concentrate supplier worldwide, comprising 75% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Turkey ($130M), with a 6.4% share of global exports. It was followed by Kazakhstan, with a 5% share.

What are the leading importers of chromium ores and concentrates in the world?

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In value terms, China ($2B) constitutes the largest market for imported chromium ores and concentrates worldwide, comprising 74% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Mozambique ($386M), with a 14% share of global imports.

What is the average export price for chromium ores and concentrates in the world?

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The average chromium ore and concentrate export price stood at $122 per tonne in 2020, falling by -29.7% against the previous year.

What is the average import price for chromium ores and concentrates in the world?

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The average chromium ore and concentrate import price stood at $138 per tonne in 2020, falling by -19% against the previous year.