Precious metal ore (other) trade by country: top importers, exporters and prices
World trade in precious metal ore (other) was worth $13.34 billion in 2024, about 3.17 million tonnes. That is an increase of 245% since 2017, and up 27% 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 | $13.34B | 3.17M t |
| 2023 | $10.54B | 2.44M t |
| 2022 | $10.02B | 1.92M t |
| 2021 | $8.78B | 1.86M t |
| 2020 | $7.40B | 1.91M t |
| 2019 | $5.72B | 1.62M t |
| 2018 | $4.67B | 1.58M t |
| 2017 | $3.87B | 1.06M t |
Top precious metal ore (other) exporting countries
Exports are led by Russia (12%), Australia (12%) and South Africa (8%). 114 countries reported exports, and the top three account for 33%.
| Exporter | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Russia | $1.67B | 13% |
| Australia | $1.60B | 12% |
| South Africa | $1.09B | 8.2% |
| Indonesia | $1.07B | 8% |
| Peru | $897.7M | 6.7% |
| Bulgaria | $875.5M | 6.6% |
| Ecuador | $816.2M | 6.1% |
| Mexico | $651.6M | 4.9% |
| Canada | $550.4M | 4.1% |
| Papua New Guinea | $471.6M | 3.5% |
| Brazil | $386.7M | 2.9% |
| Kazakhstan | $310.7M | 2.3% |
Top importing countries and buyer markets
The largest importers are China (53%), Germany (16%) and South Korea (5%). 86 countries imported it, and the top three take 75% of the value.
| Importer | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $7.11B | 53% |
| Germany | $2.19B | 16% |
| South Korea | $656.7M | 4.9% |
| Philippines | $621.0M | 4.7% |
| United Kingdom | $536.3M | 4% |
| Japan | $414.8M | 3.1% |
| Finland | $325.2M | 2.4% |
| Taiwan | $251.8M | 1.9% |
| Bulgaria | $160.8M | 1.2% |
| Switzerland | $157.7M | 1.2% |
| Kazakhstan | $119.6M | 0.9% |
| Malaysia | $109.7M | 0.8% |
Average price per kg
The world average declared value was about $4.21 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, South Africa averaged $67.28 per kg and Peru $2.00 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.
Related product types
Who is behind these numbers in this market?
The shipment records behind Precious metal ore (other) (HS 2616.90) importers and exporters, worldwide: companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
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 2616.90: Precious metal ores and concentrates: (excluding silver). HS 2616 codes.
Common questions
Which countries export the most precious metal ore (other)?
Russia exported $1.67 billion in 2024, 12% of the world total, followed by Australia (12%) and South Africa (8%). In all, 114 countries reported exports of this product. The full ranking and map are on this page.
Which countries import the most precious metal ore (other)?
China imported $7.11 billion in 2024, 53% of world imports, ahead of Germany (16%) and South Korea (5%). The top three importers together take 75%. Each country with its own page is linked from the table.
How big is the world trade in precious metal ore (other)?
It was worth $13.34 billion in 2024, about 3.17 million tonnes. That is an increase of 245% since 2017. 2024 was the highest year since 2017. 114 countries reported exports and 86 reported imports.
What is the average price of precious metal ore (other) per kg?
The world average declared value was about $4.21 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, South Africa averaged $67.28 per kg and Peru $2.00 per kg, so grade and origin matter. The average mixes every grade and size, so use it as a market reference rather than an offer.
What is the HS code for precious metal ore (other)?
The HS code for precious metal ore (other) is subheading 2616.90, in chapter 26 (ores, slag and ash). The first six digits are the same in every country; national tariffs add more. The full list of codes is on the HS 2616 page.
How can I find precious metal ore (other) buyers and suppliers?
EximDataX shows the importers and exporters of precious metal ore (other) by name, from shipment-level customs records updated weekly. Ask for a live look at the markets you sell to.
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