Netherlands: Cobalt Market 2022

Cobalt Market Size in the Netherlands

The Dutch cobalt market shrank sharply to $X in 2021, with a decrease of -49.7% against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, posted prominent growth. Cobalt consumption peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Cobalt Production in the Netherlands

In value terms, cobalt production rose to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, the total production indicated pronounced growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production decreased by -15.5% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the production volume increased by 20% against the previous year. Cobalt production peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Cobalt Exports

Exports from the Netherlands

In 2021, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas shipments of cobalt, when their volume decreased by -22% to X tons. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 221% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons, and then declined dramatically in the following year.

In value terms, cobalt exports totaled $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, showed significant growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when exports increased by 190%. The exports peaked in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Belgium (X tons), Germany (X tons) and China (X tons) were the main destinations of cobalt exports from the Netherlands, together accounting for 60% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in China (with a CAGR of +455.8%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for cobalt exported from the Netherlands were Belgium ($X), Germany ($X) and Austria ($X), with a combined 62% share of total exports. China, France, the UK, the United States, Spain, Sweden and Italy lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 32%.

China, with a CAGR of +331.4%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average cobalt export price amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 43% against the previous year. In general, the export price posted a prominent increase. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat for the major foreign markets. In 2021, the highest price was recorded for prices to Belgium ($X per ton) and France ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the United States ($X per ton) and Spain ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to France (+17.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Cobalt Imports

Imports into the Netherlands

In 2021, the amount of cobalt imported into the Netherlands contracted markedly to X tons, falling by -33.6% compared with the year before. Over the period under review, imports, however, posted significant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when imports increased by 234% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons, and then shrank remarkably in the following year.

In value terms, cobalt imports reduced to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, saw significant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 207% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X, and then reduced in the following year.

Imports by Country

Canada (X tons), Morocco (X tons) and Norway (X tons) were the main suppliers of cobalt imports to the Netherlands, together accounting for 58% of total imports. Russia, Japan, China, Australia and Zambia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 31%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Australia (with a CAGR of +421.0%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest cobalt suppliers to the Netherlands were Canada ($X), Morocco ($X) and Norway ($X), with a combined 60% share of total imports. Russia, Japan, China, Australia and Zambia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 28%.

In terms of the main suppliers, Australia, with a CAGR of +463.4%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average cobalt import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, jumping by 34% against the previous year. In general, import price indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +6.3% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the average import price increased by 35% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the peak figure in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Zambia (+9.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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