Cobalt oxide exports from the DR Congo: data, top buyers and prices
The DR Congo exported $222.3 million of cobalt oxide in 2024 (23.5 thousand tonnes). That makes it the largest exporter of this product worldwide, out of 59 countries. That is 66% more than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 38% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2022, at $384.1 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 | $222.3M | 23.5K t |
| 2023 | $134.1M | 13.6K t |
| 2022 | $384.1M | 18.8K t |
| 2021 | $155.9M | 11.7K t |
| 2020 | $102.0M | 9.6K t |
| 2019 | $75.8M | 3.9K t |
| 2018 | $57.5M | 4.6K t |
| 2017 | $23.3M | 1.8K t |
Where the DR Congo exports cobalt oxide to
Namibia alone took 64% of it. Among the main buyer markets, Namibia grew fastest (+139% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $142.3M | 64% |
| Zambia | $67.2M | 30% |
| Taiwan | $11.5M | 5.2% |
| South Korea | $912K | 0.4% |
| South Africa | $236K | 0.1% |
| Brazil | $143K | 0.1% |
| Spain | $0K | 0% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $9.46 per kg, close to the world average of $10.96.
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 oxide exports (HS 2822): 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 2822: Cobalt oxides and hydroxides; commercial cobalt oxides.
Common questions
What is the value of cobalt oxide exported by the DR Congo?
The DR Congo exported cobalt oxide worth $222.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 23.5 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 1st of 59 countries worldwide, with 29% of world exports. The value was up 66% on 2023.
Which countries buy cobalt oxide from the DR Congo?
Namibia was the largest buyer with 64% of the value ($142.3 million), followed by Zambia (30%) and Taiwan (5%). The top three together account for 99%, out of 7 buyer countries in total. Namibia grew fastest among the top ten, up 139% on the year.
What is the average export price of cobalt oxide per kg?
The average declared export value was about $9.46 per kg in 2024, 14% below the world average of $10.96 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 oxide from the DR Congo changed since 2017?
Exports went from $23.3 million in 2017 to $222.3 million in 2024, an increase of 852%. The peak was 2022 at $384.1 million. Over 8 years the average was $144.4 million a year.
What is the HS code for cobalt oxide?
The HS code for cobalt oxide is heading 2822. In the DR Congo all of this trade was declared under the six-digit code 2822.00. It sits in HS chapter 28 (inorganic chemicals; organic and inorganic compounds of precious metals; of rare earth metals, of radio-active elements and of isotopes). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2822 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; EximDataX adds the company names by reading partner countries' customs records for the DR Congo. Tell us your product to see it live.
Same product, other countries
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.