Global Ferro-Chromium Market 2025

Ferro-Chromium Market Size

The global ferro-chromium market expanded rapidly to $X in 2022, surging by 6.8% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. Global consumption peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Ferro-Chromium Production

In value terms, ferro-chromium production dropped modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 18%. Global production peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Ferro-Chromium Exports

Exports

In 2022, overseas shipments of ferro-chromium increased by 1.1% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 13%. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, ferro-chromium exports soared to $X in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

South Africa represented the largest exporter of ferro-chromium in the world, with the volume of exports accounting for X tons, which was near 50% of total exports in 2022. Kazakhstan (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by India (X tons). All these countries together took near 31% share of total exports. Finland (X tons), Russia (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons) and Zimbabwe (X tons) held a minor share of total exports.

Exports from South Africa increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Finland (+9.0%), Kazakhstan (+3.7%) and India (+1.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Finland emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +9.0% from 2012-2022. The Netherlands experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Zimbabwe (-2.0%) and Russia (-2.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Kazakhstan (+2.6 p.p.) and Finland (+1.7 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global exports, while Russia saw its share reduced by -2.1% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest ferro-chromium supplier worldwide, comprising 41% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Kazakhstan ($X), with a 20% share of global exports. It was followed by India, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in South Africa totaled +3.1%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Kazakhstan (+0.8% per year) and India (+2.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average ferro-chromium export price amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 29% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

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 the Netherlands ($X per ton), while South Africa ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Finland (+1.6%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Ferro-Chromium Imports

Imports

In 2022, supplies from abroad of ferro-chromium increased by 11% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 14% against the previous year. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, ferro-chromium imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Overall, total imports indicated a measured increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +93.1% against 2020 indices. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2022, China (X tons) represented the major importer of ferro-chromium, achieving 30% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Indonesia (X tons), Mozambique (X tons), the United States (X tons), Japan (X tons) and South Korea (X tons), together committing a 50% share of total imports. The following importers - Belgium (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons), Spain (X tons), Italy (X tons) and Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons) - together made up 13% of total imports.

Imports into China increased at an average annual rate of +4.6% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Mozambique (+159.5%), Indonesia (+84.3%), the United States (+6.3%) and Belgium (+1.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Mozambique emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +159.5% from 2012-2022. South Korea experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Japan (-1.8%), Spain (-2.0%), the Netherlands (-4.9%), Taiwan (Chinese) (-7.1%) and Italy (-10.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Indonesia (+14 p.p.), Mozambique (+11 p.p.), China (+2.9 p.p.) and the United States (+2.3 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global imports, while Taiwan (Chinese), South Korea, the Netherlands, Japan and Italy saw its share reduced by -3.2%, -3.2%, -4.8%, -5.5% and -5.5% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest ferro-chromium importing markets worldwide were China ($X), Indonesia ($X) and Japan ($X), together accounting for 55% of global imports. Mozambique, the United States, Belgium, South Korea, Spain, the Netherlands, Taiwan (Chinese) and Italy lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 31%.

Among the main importing countries, Mozambique, with a CAGR of +153.7%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average ferro-chromium import price amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 44% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.3%. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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 Japan ($X per ton), while Italy ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+5.3%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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