Cobalt ore exports from the DR Congo: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of cobalt ore by the DR Congo reached $33.1 million in 2024 (4.6 thousand tonnes). It ranks 1st of 41 countries for exports of this product. That is 51% less than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 32% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2018, at $854.8 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $33.1M | 4.6K t |
| 2023 | $67.1M | 20.2K t |
| 2022 | $182.6M | 28.9K t |
| 2021 | $96.4M | 19.3K t |
| 2020 | $136.4M | 60.7K t |
| 2019 | $207.2M | 93.9K t |
| 2018 | $854.8M | 151.9K t |
| 2017 | $514.4M | 125.4K t |
Where the DR Congo exports cobalt ore to
One buyer market dominates: Morocco accounted for 56% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, Morocco grew fastest (+118% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Morocco | $18.7M | 56% |
| Taiwan | $13.7M | 41% |
| China | $734K | 2.2% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $7.14 per kg, close to the world average of $6.20.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Who is behind these numbers in the DR Congo?
The shipment records behind DR Congo cobalt ore exports (HS 2605): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
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 2605: Cobalt ores and concentrates.
Common questions
What is the value of cobalt ore exported by the DR Congo?
The DR Congo exported cobalt ore worth $33.1 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 4.6 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 1st of 41 countries worldwide, with 71% of world exports. The value was down 51% on 2023.
Which countries buy cobalt ore from the DR Congo?
Morocco was the largest buyer with 56% of the value ($18.7 million), followed by Taiwan (41%) and China (2%). The top three together account for 100%, out of 3 buyer countries in total. Morocco grew fastest among the top ten, up 118% on the year.
What is the average export price of cobalt ore per kg?
The average declared export value was about $7.14 per kg in 2024, 15% above the world average of $6.20 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have exports of cobalt ore from the DR Congo changed since 2017?
Exports went from $514.4 million in 2017 to $33.1 million in 2024, a fall of 94%. The peak was 2018 at $854.8 million. Over 8 years the average was $261.5 million a year.
What is the HS code for cobalt ore?
The HS code for cobalt ore is heading 2605. In the DR Congo all of this trade was declared under the six-digit code 2605.00. It sits in HS chapter 26 (ores, slag and ash). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2605 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
For the DR Congo, EximDataX reads the shipment records of the countries that trade with it and shows the companies on both sides. We can walk you through your product on a short call.
More trade data for the DR Congo
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.