Specialty metal ore trade by country: top importers, exporters and prices
World trade in specialty metal ore was worth $446.5 million in 2024, about 119.5 thousand tonnes. That is an increase of 46% since 2017, and down 17% 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 | $446.5M | 119.5K t |
| 2023 | $537.8M | 134.0K t |
| 2022 | $631.3M | 68.9K t |
| 2021 | $519.3M | 147.3K t |
| 2020 | $395.0M | 95.5K t |
| 2019 | $408.9M | 71.4K t |
| 2018 | $529.5M | 52.0K t |
| 2017 | $306.2M | 34.3K t |
Top specialty metal ore exporting countries
Exports are led by Rwanda (27%), the DR Congo (13%) and Australia (13%). 72 countries reported exports, and the top three account for 53%.
| Exporter | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Rwanda | $118.5M | 27% |
| DR Congo | $60.0M | 13% |
| Australia | $56.0M | 13% |
| Brazil | $32.6M | 7.3% |
| Mozambique | $25.8M | 5.8% |
| Canada | $20.1M | 4.5% |
| Nigeria | $17.5M | 3.9% |
| Republic of the Congo | $17.4M | 3.9% |
| Burundi | $16.0M | 3.6% |
| Ethiopia | $13.2M | 3% |
| Hong Kong | $8.1M | 1.8% |
| China | $6.2M | 1.4% |
Top importing countries and buyer markets
The largest importers are China (51%), the United States (11%) and Thailand (11%). 68 countries imported it, and the top three take 73% of the value.
| Importer | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $229.6M | 51% |
| United States | $50.7M | 11% |
| Thailand | $47.4M | 11% |
| Malaysia | $44.0M | 9.9% |
| Germany | $15.7M | 3.5% |
| Taiwan | $9.5M | 2.1% |
| Hong Kong | $9.1M | 2% |
| Kazakhstan | $6.3M | 1.4% |
| India | $5.0M | 1.1% |
| Australia | $4.6M | 1% |
| Spain | $3.1M | 0.7% |
| Kenya | $3.1M | 0.7% |
Average price per kg
The world average declared value was about $3.74 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, the DR Congo averaged $51.55 per kg and Mozambique $1.48 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 Specialty metal ore (HS 2615.90) 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 2615.90: Niobium, tantalum, vanadium ores and concentrates. HS 2615 codes.
Common questions
Which countries export the most specialty metal ore?
Rwanda exported $118.5 million in 2024, 27% of the world total, followed by the DR Congo (13%) and Australia (13%). In all, 72 countries reported exports of this product. The full ranking and map are on this page.
Which countries import the most specialty metal ore?
China imported $229.6 million in 2024, 51% of world imports, ahead of the United States (11%) and Thailand (11%). The top three importers together take 73%. Each country with its own page is linked from the table.
How big is the world trade in specialty metal ore?
It was worth $446.5 million in 2024, about 119.5 thousand tonnes. That is an increase of 46% since 2017. The peak year was 2022 at $631.3 million. 72 countries reported exports and 68 reported imports.
What is the average price of specialty metal ore per kg?
The world average declared value was about $3.74 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, the DR Congo averaged $51.55 per kg and Mozambique $1.48 per kg, so grade and origin matter. Read it as a benchmark: it blends all grades, origins and contract terms.
What is the HS code for specialty metal ore?
The HS code for specialty metal ore is subheading 2615.90, 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 2615 page.
How can I find specialty metal ore buyers and suppliers?
EximDataX shows the importers and exporters of specialty metal ore by name, from shipment-level customs records updated weekly. Ask for a live look at the markets you sell to.
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