EU: Market for Chromium Ores and Concentrates 2024

Market Size for Chromium Ores and Concentrates in the EU

The EU chromium ore and concentrate market dropped to $X in 2022, shrinking by -10.4% against the previous year. In general, consumption recorded a noticeable curtailment. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production of Chromium Ores and Concentrates in the EU

In value terms, chromium ore and concentrate production shrank rapidly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production recorded resilient growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 1,110%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Exports of Chromium Ores and Concentrates

Exports in the EU

In 2022, exports of chromium ores and concentrates in the European Union shrank to X tons, declining by -10.6% compared with 2021. Over the period under review, exports saw a pronounced descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 32% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, chromium ore and concentrate exports expanded sharply to $X in 2022. In general, exports continue to indicate a deep contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 54% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands was the key exporter of chromium ores and concentrates in the European Union, with the volume of exports reaching X tons, which was near 67% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Germany (X tons), constituting a 24% share of total exports. Italy (X tons), France (X tons) and Spain (X tons) took a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to chromium ore and concentrate exports from the Netherlands stood at -2.8%. At the same time, Italy (+11.7%) and France (+8.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Italy emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the European Union, with a CAGR of +11.7% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Germany (-3.3%) and Spain (-3.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of the Netherlands (+9.2 p.p.), Italy (+2.4 p.p.), Germany (+2 p.p.) and France (+1.6 p.p.) increased significantly, the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest chromium ore and concentrate supplying countries in the European Union were the Netherlands ($X), Germany ($X) and Italy ($X), together accounting for 92% of total exports.

Italy, with a CAGR of +8.3%, recorded 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 leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 22% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, showed a perceptible decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the export price increased by 39%. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was France ($X per ton), while the Netherlands ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (-0.4%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Imports of Chromium Ores and Concentrates

Imports in the EU

In 2022, purchases abroad of chromium ores and concentrates decreased by -36.3% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Overall, imports recorded a deep contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 25%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, chromium ore and concentrate imports fell to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports saw a deep downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 33% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Germany represented the largest importer of chromium ores and concentrates in the European Union, with the volume of imports reaching X tons, which was approx. 52% of total imports in 2022. Italy (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Spain (X tons), Austria (X tons), Poland (X tons) and France (X tons). All these countries together took approx. 35% share of total imports. Belgium (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) held a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to chromium ore and concentrate imports into Germany stood at -3.4%. At the same time, Spain (+9.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Spain emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the European Union, with a CAGR of +9.0% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Italy (-1.3%), France (-2.0%), Poland (-6.8%), Austria (-8.2%), Belgium (-13.4%) and the Netherlands (-27.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Germany (+17 p.p.), Spain (+7.8 p.p.), Italy (+4.7 p.p.) and France (+2.1 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Belgium and the Netherlands saw its share reduced by -3.5% and -28.4% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Germany ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported chromium ores and concentrates in the European Union, comprising 46% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Spain ($X), with an 11% share of total imports. It was followed by Italy, with a 10% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Germany totaled -5.3%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Spain (+6.2% per year) and Italy (-3.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2022, picking up by 37% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, saw a slight curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 40%. Over the period under review, import prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Poland ($X per ton), while the Netherlands ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+4.6%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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