Worldwide Copper Mattes and Cement Copper Market Expected to Reach 1M Tons in Volume and $3.3B in Value by 2030

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Driven by increasing demand worldwide, the market for copper mattes and cement copper is expected to see a steady rise over the next six years. With a projected CAGR of +2.4% in volume and +4.7% in value, the market is predicted to reach 1M tons and $3.3B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2030.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for copper mattes and cement copper worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next six-year period. Market performance is forecast to accelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.4% for the period from 2024 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 1M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.7% for the period from 2024 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $3.3B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Copper Mattes And Cement Copper

In 2024, consumption of copper mattes and cement copper was finally on the rise to reach 875K tons for the first time since 2020, thus ending a three-year declining trend. In general, consumption saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak volume of 895K tons. From 2021 to 2024, the growth of the global consumption remained at a lower figure.

The global copper matte market value expanded sharply to $2.5B in 2024, rising by 8.8% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the period from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Global consumption peaked in 2024 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2024 were Malaysia (72K tons), Belgium (66K tons) and China (60K tons), with a combined 23% share of global consumption. The Philippines, Botswana, Kazakhstan, Vietnam, South Korea, Chile and Iran lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 40%.

From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for South Korea (with a CAGR of +22.6%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest copper matte markets worldwide were Belgium ($298M), China ($190M) and South Korea ($178M), with a combined 27% share of the global market.

Among the main consuming countries, South Korea, with a CAGR of +22.6%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to market size over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2024, the highest levels of copper matte per capita consumption was registered in Botswana (21 kg per person), followed by Belgium (5.7 kg per person), Kazakhstan (2.8 kg per person) and Chile (2.3 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of copper matte was estimated at 0.1 kg per person.

In Botswana, copper matte per capita consumption remained relatively stable over the period from 2013-2024. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Belgium (+7.0% per year) and Kazakhstan (+3.1% per year).

Production

World Production of Copper Mattes And Cement Copper

In 2024, production of copper mattes and cement copper was finally on the rise to reach 886K tons after two years of decline. In general, production recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the production volume increased by 8.6% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak volume of 992K tons. From 2019 to 2024, global production growth failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, copper matte production fell slightly to $2.4B in 2024 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the production volume increased by 24% against the previous year. Global production peaked at $2.8B in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, production failed to regain momentum.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2024 were Iran (106K tons), Malaysia (71K tons) and the Philippines (60K tons), together accounting for 27% of global production. Chile, Botswana, Kazakhstan, Vietnam, Canada, India and Finland lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 36%.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the key producing countries, was attained by Botswana (with a CAGR of +1.5%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Copper Mattes And Cement Copper

In 2024, the amount of copper mattes and cement copper imported worldwide soared to 286K tons, with an increase of 29% against 2023 figures. Overall, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when imports increased by 46% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of 322K tons. From 2021 to 2024, the growth of global imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, copper matte imports surged to $1.5B in 2024. In general, imports showed a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by 51%. Global imports peaked in 2024 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports By Country

Belgium (69K tons), China (61K tons) and South Korea (57K tons) represented roughly 65% of total imports in 2024. It was distantly followed by Russia (29K tons), Thailand (23K tons) and Cambodia (13K tons), together comprising a 23% share of total imports. Bulgaria (6.5K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by Bulgaria (with a CAGR of +115.2%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest copper matte importing markets worldwide were Russia ($489M), Belgium ($375M) and China ($232M), together accounting for 72% of global imports. South Korea, Bulgaria, Cambodia and Thailand lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 20%.

Bulgaria, with a CAGR of +120.9%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

In 2024, the average copper matte import price amounted to $5,329 per ton, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, continues to indicate prominent growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 61% against the previous year. Global import price peaked at $6,253 per ton in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2024, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Russia ($17,058 per ton), while Thailand ($490 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Russia (+11.2%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Copper Mattes And Cement Copper

In 2024, overseas shipments of copper mattes and cement copper were finally on the rise to reach 297K tons for the first time since 2021, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, exports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 34%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of 420K tons. From 2019 to 2024, the growth of the global exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, copper matte exports fell to $1.1B in 2024. In general, exports posted a pronounced expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 43%. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs at $1.6B in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports By Country

In 2024, Iran (71K tons), distantly followed by Canada (37K tons) and Finland (31K tons) were the key exporters of copper mattes and cement copper, together mixing up 47% of total exports. India (12K tons), Thailand (12K tons), Indonesia (12K tons), Chile (10K tons), Cambodia (9.6K tons), the United States (9.1K tons) and South Korea (8.7K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Indonesia (with a CAGR of +81.7%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Finland ($288M), Canada ($283M) and Iran ($100M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2024, together accounting for 62% of global exports. Cambodia, South Korea, the United States, Thailand, India, Chile and Indonesia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 15%.

Cambodia, with a CAGR of +61.2%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average copper matte export price stood at $3,649 per ton in 2024, falling by -12.5% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, posted modest growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2022 when the average export price increased by 31%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $5,159 per ton. From 2023 to 2024, the average export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Finland ($9,205 per ton), while Indonesia ($819 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Finland (+5.1%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform