Cobalt products exports from the DR Congo: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of cobalt products by the DR Congo reached $3.05 billion in 2024 (635.0 thousand tonnes). It ranks 1st of 90 countries for exports of this product. Value rose 25% on 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2022, at $5.82 billion.
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 | $3.05B | 635.0K t |
| 2023 | $2.44B | 394.0K t |
| 2022 | $5.82B | 359.8K t |
| 2021 | $4.45B | 310.8K t |
| 2020 | $2.25B | 302.5K t |
| 2019 | $1.91B | 303.4K t |
| 2018 | $3.42B | 221.3K t |
| 2017 | $1.90B | 214.9K t |
Where the DR Congo exports cobalt products to
One buyer market dominates: China accounted for 99% of the value.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $3.02B | 99% |
| South Korea | $27.0M | 0.9% |
| Belgium | $4.2M | 0.1% |
| Turkey | $0K | 0% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $4.80 per kg, 37% below the world average of $7.64, which often means bulk or lower-grade product.
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 products exports (HS 8105): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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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 8105: Cobalt; mattes and other intermediate products of cobalt metallurgy, cobalt and articles thereof, including waste and scrap.
Common questions
What is the value of cobalt products exported by the DR Congo?
The DR Congo exported cobalt products worth $3.05 billion in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 635.0 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 1st of 90 countries worldwide, with 54% of world exports. The value was up 25% on 2023.
Which countries buy cobalt products from the DR Congo?
China was the largest buyer with 99% of the value ($3.02 billion), followed by South Korea (1%) and Belgium (0%). The top three together account for 100%, out of 4 buyer countries in total. Belgium grew fastest among the top ten, up 123% on the year.
What is the average export price of cobalt products per kg?
The average declared export value was about $4.80 per kg in 2024, 37% below the world average of $7.64 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have exports of cobalt products from the DR Congo changed since 2017?
Exports went from $1.90 billion in 2017 to $3.05 billion in 2024, an increase of 61%. The peak was 2022 at $5.82 billion. Over 8 years the average was $3.16 billion a year.
What is the HS code for cobalt products?
The HS code for cobalt products is heading 8105. In the DR Congo all of this trade was declared under the six-digit code 8105.20. It sits in HS chapter 81 (metals; n.e.c., cermets and articles thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 8105 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.
Same product, other countries
More trade data for the DR Congo
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