Alkali metal trade by country: top importers, exporters and prices
World trade in alkali metal was worth $1.09 billion in 2024, about 140.9 thousand tonnes. That is an increase of 32% since 2017, and down 20% on 2023.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
World trade by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1.09B | 140.9K t |
| 2023 | $1.36B | 152.2K t |
| 2022 | $1.67B | 158.0K t |
| 2021 | $1.14B | 163.5K t |
| 2020 | $837.6M | 128.4K t |
| 2019 | $958.9M | 143.1K t |
| 2018 | $1.03B | 144.8K t |
| 2017 | $826.4M | 141.1K t |
Top alkali metal exporting countries
Exports are led by China (37%), Vietnam (18%) and Australia (12%). 87 countries reported exports, and the top three account for 66%.
| Exporter | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $399.8M | 37% |
| Vietnam | $197.4M | 18% |
| Australia | $128.2M | 12% |
| France | $98.0M | 9% |
| Germany | $55.8M | 5.1% |
| United States | $53.8M | 4.9% |
| Thailand | $45.3M | 4.2% |
| Japan | $15.8M | 1.4% |
| Malaysia | $12.6M | 1.2% |
| Netherlands | $12.5M | 1.1% |
| Singapore | $8.8M | 0.8% |
| Kyrgyzstan | $6.3M | 0.6% |
Top importing countries and buyer markets
The largest importers are Japan (26%), Malaysia (12%) and the United States (6%). 168 countries imported it, and the top three take 44% of the value.
| Importer | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | $279.4M | 26% |
| Malaysia | $129.2M | 12% |
| United States | $67.3M | 6.2% |
| India | $66.6M | 6.1% |
| France | $46.2M | 4.2% |
| Vietnam | $43.8M | 4% |
| Germany | $43.3M | 4% |
| China | $42.2M | 3.9% |
| Singapore | $35.4M | 3.3% |
| Taiwan | $34.0M | 3.1% |
| United Kingdom | $25.9M | 2.4% |
| South Korea | $25.6M | 2.4% |
Average price per kg
The world average declared value was about $7.74 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, Japan averaged $62.10 per kg and Australia $4.11 per kg, so grade and origin matter.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments worldwide. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Who is behind these numbers in this market?
Public statistics stop at country totals and the last published year. EximDataX shows the shipment records underneath: the companies, dates, quantities and declared values, updated weekly.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 2805: Alkali or alkaline-earth metals; rare-earth metals, scandium and yttrium, whether or not intermixed or interalloyed; mercury. HS 2805 codes.
Common questions
Which countries export the most alkali metal?
China exported $399.8 million in 2024, 37% of the world total, followed by Vietnam (18%) and Australia (12%). In all, 87 countries reported exports of this product. The full ranking and map are on this page.
Which countries import the most alkali metal?
Japan imported $279.4 million in 2024, 26% of world imports, ahead of Malaysia (12%) and the United States (6%). The top three importers together take 44%. Each country with its own page is linked from the table.
How big is the world trade in alkali metal?
It was worth $1.09 billion in 2024, about 140.9 thousand tonnes. That is an increase of 32% since 2017. The peak year was 2022 at $1.67 billion. 87 countries reported exports and 168 reported imports.
What is the average price of alkali metal per kg?
The world average declared value was about $7.74 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, Japan averaged $62.10 per kg and Australia $4.11 per kg, so grade and origin matter. It is total declared value divided by total weight, so treat it as a benchmark, not a quote.
What is the HS code for alkali metal?
The HS code for alkali metal is heading 2805, in chapter 28 (inorganic chemicals; organic and inorganic compounds of precious metals; of rare earth metals, of radio-active elements and of isotopes). Customs uses this code worldwide at the six-digit level; national tariffs add more digits. The full list of codes is on the HS 2805 page.
How can I find alkali metal buyers and suppliers?
Public statistics stop at country totals. EximDataX shows the importers and exporters behind this trade from shipment-level customs records, updated weekly, with direct customs feeds and mirror data. Tell us your product and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
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