Japan: Market for Copper Ores And Concentrates 2024

Market Size for Copper Ores And Concentrates in Japan

The Japanese copper ores and concentrates market surged to $X in 2021, growing by 23% 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 +1.0% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, consumption attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports of Copper Ores And Concentrates

Exports from Japan

Copper ores and concentrates exports from Japan skyrocketed to X tons in 2021, jumping by 68% against the year before. Overall, exports continue to indicate a significant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 434%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure in 2021 and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, copper ores and concentrates exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. In general, exports posted resilient growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when exports increased by 657%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

Saudi Arabia (X tons), Cambodia (X tons) and Malaysia (X tons) were the main destinations of copper ores and concentrates exports from Japan, together accounting for 96% of total exports. These countries were followed by the United Arab Emirates, Thailand and the United States, which together accounted for a further 4.2%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by the United Arab Emirates (with a CAGR of +513.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Cambodia ($X) remains the key foreign market for copper ores and concentrates exports from Japan, comprising 42% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Malaysia ($X), with a 20% share of total exports. It was followed by Saudi Arabia, with an 18% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Cambodia amounted to +81.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Malaysia (+87.3% per year) and Saudi Arabia (+613.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average copper ores and concentrates export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, declining by -6.3% against the previous year. Overall, the export price continues to indicate a deep slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the average export price increased by 126% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Saudi Arabia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the United States (+400.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Copper Ores And Concentrates

Imports into Japan

In 2021, imports of copper ores and concentrates into Japan dropped to X tons, waning by -5.2% on the previous year. Over the period under review, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 11% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, copper ores and concentrates imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. In general, total imports indicated a modest increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +59.2% against 2019 indices. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Chile (X tons) constituted the largest copper ores and concentrates supplier to Japan, with a 38% share of total imports. Moreover, copper ores and concentrates imports from Chile exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Australia (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Indonesia (X tons), with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Chile amounted to -2.9%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Australia (+4.6% per year) and Indonesia (+4.7% per year).

In value terms, Chile ($X), Australia ($X) and Indonesia ($X) constituted the largest copper ores and concentrates suppliers to Japan, with a combined 66% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Peru, Canada, Papua New Guinea and Panama, which together accounted for a further 27%.

Panama, with a CAGR of +274.1%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average copper ores and concentrates import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 40% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import price indicated a modest expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, copper ores and concentrates import price increased by +53.7% against 2019 indices. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Australia ($X per ton), while the price for Peru ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Panama (+56.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform