Cobalt oxide exports from Zambia: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of cobalt oxide by Zambia reached $82.0 million in 2024 (9.6 thousand tonnes). It ranks 5th of 59 countries for exports of this product. Value rose 68% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 116% a year on average.
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 | $82.0M | 9.6K t |
| 2023 | $48.9M | 4.9K t |
| 2022 | $85.9M | 3.5K t |
| 2021 | $1.4M | 144 t |
| 2020 | $419K | 62 t |
| 2019 | $177K | 42 t |
| 2018 | $22K | 0 t |
| 2017 | $368K | 43 t |
Where Zambia exports cobalt oxide to
One buyer market dominates: South Africa accounted for 96% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, South Africa grew fastest (+68% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | $79.0M | 96% |
| Namibia | $1.5M | 1.8% |
| China | $1.2M | 1.5% |
| Brazil | $201K | 0.3% |
| United Kingdom | $24K | 0% |
| South Korea | $0K | 0% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $8.55 per kg, 22% below the world average of $10.96, 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.
Cobalt oxide imports to Zambia
In 2024, Zambia imported cobalt oxide worth $67.2 million (7.8 thousand tonnes). That makes it the 5th largest importer of this product worldwide, out of 110 countries. DR Congo alone supplied 100% of it.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| DR Congo | $67.2M | 100% |
Who is behind these numbers in Zambia?
The shipment records behind Zambia 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 Zambia?
Zambia exported cobalt oxide worth $82.0 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 9.6 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 5th of 59 countries worldwide, with 11% of world exports. The value was up 68% on 2023.
Which countries buy cobalt oxide from Zambia?
South Africa was the largest buyer with 96% of the value ($79.0 million), followed by Namibia (2%) and China (1%). The top three together account for 100%, out of 6 buyer countries in total. South Africa grew fastest among the top ten, up 68% on the year.
What is the average export price of cobalt oxide per kg?
The average declared export value was about $8.55 per kg in 2024, 22% below the world average of $10.96 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have exports of cobalt oxide from Zambia changed since 2017?
Exports went from $368 thousand in 2017 to $82.0 million in 2024. The peak was 2022 at $85.9 million. Over 8 years the average was $27.4 million a year.
Does Zambia also import cobalt oxide?
Yes. Zambia imported $67.2 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from the DR Congo. On balance Zambia is a net exporter of this product, by about $14.7 million a year.
What is the HS code for cobalt oxide?
The HS code for cobalt oxide is heading 2822. In Zambia 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?
For Zambia, 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.
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.