Copper ore imports in Zambia: data, top suppliers and prices
Zambia imported $148.2 million of copper ore in 2024 (103.9 thousand tonnes). Value rose 45% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 21% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2018, at $1.08 billion.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $148.2M | 103.9K t |
| 2023 | $102.0M | 48.2K t |
| 2022 | $374.2M | 271.7K t |
| 2021 | $202.2M | 266.4K t |
| 2020 | $62.7M | 2.01M t |
| 2019 | $153.7M | 115.1K t |
| 2018 | $1.08B | 593.7K t |
| 2017 | $776.8M | 722.3K t |
Where Zambia imports copper ore from
One supplier dominates: DR Congo accounted for 100% of the value. Among the main suppliers, DR Congo grew fastest (+73% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| DR Congo | $147.8M | 100% |
| Mauritius | $176K | 0.1% |
| United Arab Emirates | $157K | 0.1% |
| South Africa | $14K | 0% |
| Botswana | $1K | 0% |
| Tanzania | $0K | 0% |
| Namibia | $0K | 0% |
| United States | $0K | 0% |
| United Kingdom | $0K | 0% |
| Australia | $0K | 0% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.43 per kg, 41% below the world average of $2.42, 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.
Copper ore exports from Zambia
Zambia exported $96.1 million of copper ore in 2024 (57.3 thousand tonnes). One buyer market dominates: China accounted for 83% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, Mauritius grew fastest (+247% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $79.9M | 83% |
| Mauritius | $9.1M | 9.5% |
| Singapore | $1.6M | 1.7% |
| Taiwan | $973K | 1% |
| Malaysia | $924K | 1% |
| Canada | $841K | 0.9% |
| Hong Kong | $749K | 0.8% |
| United Arab Emirates | $748K | 0.8% |
| Tanzania | $709K | 0.7% |
| Switzerland | $559K | 0.6% |
Who is behind these numbers in Zambia?
The shipment records behind Zambia copper ore imports (HS 2603): 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 2603: Copper ores and concentrates.
Common questions
What is the value of copper ore imported by Zambia?
Zambia imported copper ore worth $148.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 103.9 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 21st of 104 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 45% on 2023.
Which countries supply copper ore to Zambia?
The DR Congo was the largest supplier with 100% of the value ($147.8 million), followed by Mauritius (0%) and the United Arab Emirates (0%). The top three together account for 100%, out of 10 supplier countries in total. Namibia grew fastest among the top ten, up 950% on the year.
What is the average import price of copper ore per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.43 per kg in 2024, 41% below the world average of $2.42 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of copper ore to Zambia changed since 2017?
Imports went from $776.8 million in 2017 to $148.2 million in 2024, a fall of 81%. The peak was 2018 at $1.08 billion. Over 8 years the average was $362.6 million a year.
Does Zambia also export copper ore?
Yes. Zambia exported $96.1 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to China, Mauritius and Singapore. On balance Zambia is a net importer of this product, by about $52.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for copper ore?
The HS code for copper ore is heading 2603. In Zambia all of this trade was declared under the six-digit code 2603.00. It sits in HS chapter 26 (ores, slag and ash). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2603 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.
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