Copper ore trade by country: top importers, exporters and prices
World trade in copper ore was worth $105.19 billion in 2024, about 43.42 million tonnes. That is an increase of 78% since 2017, and up 6% 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 | $105.19B | 43.42M t |
| 2023 | $99.01B | 43.77M t |
| 2022 | $92.18B | 70.11M t |
| 2021 | $91.92B | 60.53M t |
| 2020 | $63.44B | 79.48M t |
| 2019 | $59.79B | 59.29M t |
| 2018 | $63.76B | 37.40M t |
| 2017 | $59.03B | 34.67M t |
Top copper ore exporting countries
Chile is the largest exporter with 29% of world exports, followed by Peru and Indonesia. The top three supply 57% between them, out of 108 exporting countries.
| Exporter | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Chile | $31.00B | 30% |
| Peru | $20.56B | 20% |
| Indonesia | $8.39B | 8% |
| Australia | $4.47B | 4.3% |
| Brazil | $4.17B | 4% |
| Mexico | $3.74B | 3.6% |
| United States | $3.55B | 3.4% |
| Canada | $3.52B | 3.4% |
| Mongolia | $3.33B | 3.2% |
| Kazakhstan | $3.16B | 3% |
| DR Congo | $3.03B | 2.9% |
| Serbia | $1.66B | 1.6% |
Top importing countries and buyer markets
The largest importers are China (62%), Japan (13%) and South Korea (4%). 104 countries imported it, and the top three take 80% of the value.
| Importer | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $65.70B | 63% |
| Japan | $13.30B | 13% |
| South Korea | $4.74B | 4.5% |
| India | $3.98B | 3.8% |
| Spain | $2.58B | 2.5% |
| Bulgaria | $2.50B | 2.4% |
| Germany | $2.46B | 2.3% |
| Philippines | $1.87B | 1.8% |
| Mexico | $1.53B | 1.5% |
| Finland | $1.05B | 1% |
| Sweden | $908.1M | 0.9% |
| Taiwan | $897.3M | 0.9% |
Average price per kg
The world average declared value was about $2.42 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, Canada averaged $3.58 per kg and Peru $2.20 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
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
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 2603: Copper ores and concentrates. HS 2603 codes.
Common questions
Which countries export the most copper ore?
Chile exported $31.00 billion in 2024, 29% of the world total, followed by Peru (20%) and Indonesia (8%). In all, 108 countries reported exports of this product. The full ranking and map are on this page.
Which countries import the most copper ore?
China imported $65.70 billion in 2024, 62% of world imports, ahead of Japan (13%) and South Korea (4%). The top three importers together take 80%. Each country with its own page is linked from the table.
How big is the world trade in copper ore?
It was worth $105.19 billion in 2024, about 43.42 million tonnes. That is an increase of 78% since 2017. 2024 was the highest year since 2017. 108 countries reported exports and 104 reported imports.
What is the average price of copper ore per kg?
The world average declared value was about $2.42 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, Canada averaged $3.58 per kg and Peru $2.20 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 copper ore?
The HS code for copper ore is heading 2603, in chapter 26 (ores, slag and ash). Customs uses this code worldwide at the six-digit level; national tariffs add more digits. The full list of codes is on the HS 2603 page.
How can I find copper ore 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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