We use cookies to improve your experience and for marketing. Read our cookie policy or manage cookies.

Accept essential cookies
Accept all cookies
Japan - Cobalt - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights
Report Update: Apr 1, 2025

Japan - Cobalt - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights

Single report
Sent by email within 24h (Mon-Fri)
What's the difference?
Subscription
Online access and download
from $350/month

Get instant access to more than 2 million reports, dashboards, and datasets on the IndexBox Platform.

View Pricing
Nov 25, 2024

Japan's Cobalt Purchases Slump Significantly to $252M in 2023

Japan Cobalt Imports

In 2023, the amount of cobalt imported into Japan reduced to 6.5K tons, declining by -12.4% against the previous year. Overall, imports saw a perceptible descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 42% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of 12K tons. From 2018 to 2023, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cobalt imports shrank remarkably to $252M (IndexBox estimates) in 2023. In general, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 144%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $787M in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2023, imports failed to regain momentum.Japan Cobalt Imports By Country (Million USD)

COUNTRYImport Value of Cobalt in Japan (million USD)
20132014201520162017201820192020202120222023
Finland119153132104241409221175238270129
MadagascarN/AN/AN/A0.99.223.515.49.022.159.626.0
Canada41.354.265.157.613417258.826.345.752.418.7
Morocco5.58.06.55.318.527.012.517.524.420.916.1
Norway17.412.19.58.148.932.315.714.720.025.314.7
China5.46.96.15.915.831.818.311.319.326.513.8
Australia30.916.06.96.27.816.96.48.519.615.410.0
Zambia21.027.425.110.732.233.122.26.00.810.51.1
Others35.633.130.622.031.341.528.220.726.338.122.3
Total276311282220538787399289416519252

Imports by Country

In 2023, Finland (3.5K tons) constituted the largest cobalt supplier to Japan, with a 53% share of total imports. Moreover, cobalt imports from Finland exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Madagascar (681 tons), fivefold. Canada (544 tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with an 8.3% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Finland totaled -1.7%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Madagascar (+52.2% per year) and Canada (-9.5% per year).

In value terms, Finland ($129M) constituted the largest supplier of cobalt to Japan, comprising 51% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Madagascar ($26M), with a 10% share of total imports. It was followed by Canada, with a 7.4% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of value from Finland was relatively modest. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Madagascar (+61.3% per year) and Canada (-7.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2023, the cobalt price amounted to $38,485 per ton (CIF, Japan), reducing by -44.5% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, showed a perceptible increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 an increase of 72% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum at $69,389 per ton in 2022, and then reduced notably in the following year.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major supplying countries. In 2023, amid the top importers, the highest price was recorded for prices from Australia ($40,722 per ton) and China ($39,280 per ton), while the price for Zambia ($32,458 per ton) and Morocco ($33,294 per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Australia (+8.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the cobalt market in Japan. Within it, you will discover the latest data on market trends and opportunities by country, consumption, production and price developments, as well as the global trade (imports and exports). The forecast exhibits the market prospects through 2030.

Product coverage:

    Country coverage:

    • Japan

    Data coverage:

    • Market volume and value
    • Per Capita consumption
    • Forecast of the market dynamics in the medium term
    • Trade (exports and imports) in Japan
    • Export and import prices
    • Market trends, drivers and restraints
    • Key market players and their profiles

    Reasons to buy this report:

    • Take advantage of the latest data
    • Find deeper insights into current market developments
    • Discover vital success factors affecting the market

    This report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, and wholesalers, as well as for investors, consultants and advisors.

    In this report, you can find information that helps you to make informed decisions on the following issues:

    1. How to diversify your business and benefit from new market opportunities
    2. How to load your idle production capacity
    3. How to boost your sales on overseas markets
    4. How to increase your profit margins
    5. How to make your supply chain more sustainable
    6. How to reduce your production and supply chain costs
    7. How to outsource production to other countries
    8. How to prepare your business for global expansion

    While doing this research, we combine the accumulated expertise of our analysts and the capabilities of artificial intelligence. The AI-based platform, developed by our data scientists, constitutes the key working tool for business analysts, empowering them to discover deep insights and ideas from the marketing data.

    1. 1. INTRODUCTION

      Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business

      1. REPORT DESCRIPTION
      2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND AI PLATFORM
      3. DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
      4. GLOSSARY AND SPECIFIC TERMS

    2. 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

      A Quick Overview of Market Performance

      1. KEY FINDINGS
      2. MARKET TRENDS This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO

    3. 3. MARKET OVERVIEW

      Understanding the Current State of The Market and Its Prospects

      1. MARKET SIZE
      2. MARKET STRUCTURE
      3. TRADE BALANCE
      4. PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION
      5. MARKET FORECAST TO 2030

    4. 4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCT

      Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business

      This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
      1. TOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS
      2. BEST-SELLING PRODUCTS
      3. MOST CONSUMED PRODUCT
      4. MOST TRADED PRODUCT
      5. MOST PROFITABLE PRODUCT FOR EXPORT

    5. 5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES

      Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain

      This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
      1. TOP COUNTRIES TO SOURCE YOUR PRODUCT
      2. TOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES
      3. TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES
      4. LOW-COST EXPORTING COUNTRIES

    6. 6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS

      Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Exports

      This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
      1. TOP OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR EXPORTING YOUR PRODUCT
      2. TOP CONSUMING MARKETS
      3. UNSATURATED MARKETS
      4. TOP IMPORTING MARKETS
      5. MOST PROFITABLE MARKETS

    7. 7. PRODUCTION

      The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry

      1. PRODUCTION VOLUME AND VALUE

    8. 8. IMPORTS

      The Largest Import Supplying Countries

      1. IMPORTS FROM 2012–2024
      2. IMPORTS BY COUNTRY
      3. IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY

    9. 9. EXPORTS

      The Largest Destinations for Exports

      1. EXPORTS FROM 2012–2024
      2. EXPORTS BY COUNTRY
      3. EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY

    10. 10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS

      The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles

      This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO

    11. LIST OF TABLES

      1. Key Findings In 2024
      2. Market Volume, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
      3. Market Value, 2012–2024
      4. Per Capita Consumption In 2012-2024
      5. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
      6. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
      7. Import Prices, By Country Of Origin, 2012–2024
      8. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
      9. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
      10. Export Prices, By Country Of Destination, 2012–2024

    12. LIST OF FIGURES

      1. Market Volume, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
      2. Market Value, 2012–2024
      3. Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, In Physical Terms, 2012-2024
      4. Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, In Value Terms, 2012-2024
      5. Trade Balance, In Physical Terms, 2012-2024
      6. Trade Balance, In Value Terms, 2012-2024
      7. Per Capita Consumption, 2012-2024
      8. Market Volume Forecast to 2030
      9. Market Value Forecast to 2030
      10. Products: Market Size And Growth, By Type
      11. Products: Average Per Capita Consumption, By Type
      12. Products: Exports And Growth, By Type
      13. Products: Export Prices And Growth, By Type
      14. Production Volume And Growth
      15. Exports And Growth
      16. Export Prices And Growth
      17. Market Size And Growth
      18. Per Capita Consumption
      19. Imports And Growth
      20. Import Prices
      21. Production, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
      22. Production, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
      23. Imports, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
      24. Imports, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
      25. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
      26. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
      27. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
      28. Import Prices, By Country Of Origin, 2012–2024
      29. Exports, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
      30. Exports, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
      31. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
      32. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
      33. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
      34. Export Prices, By Country Of Destination, 2012–2024

    Recommended posts

    Free Data: Cobalt - Japan
    Table
    Cobalt - Japan - Table
    Dashboard
    Cobalt - Japan - Dashboard
    Report
    Cobalt - Japan - Report