U.S.: Market for Zinc Ores And Concentrates 2025

Market Size for Zinc Ores And Concentrates in the U.S.

The U.S. zinc ores and concentrates market declined rapidly to $X in 2021, dropping by -26.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate a deep setback. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Production of Zinc Ores And Concentrates in the U.S.

In value terms, zinc ores and concentrates production expanded to $X in 2021. Overall, production, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 29% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2021, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Zinc Ores And Concentrates

Exports from the U.S.

In 2021, the amount of zinc ores and concentrates exported from the United States skyrocketed to X tons, surging by 18% against 2020 figures. In general, exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, zinc ores and concentrates exports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, total exports indicated buoyant growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.6% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Canada (X tons) was the main destination for zinc ores and concentrates exports from the United States, accounting for a 41% share of total exports. Moreover, zinc ores and concentrates exports to Canada exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, South Korea (X tons), threefold. Australia (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 9.7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Canada amounted to +9.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: South Korea (-5.6% per year) and Australia (-2.0% per year).

In value terms, Canada ($X) remains the key foreign market for zinc ores and concentrates exports from the United States, comprising 40% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by South Korea ($X), with a 14% share of total exports. It was followed by Australia, with a 10% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Canada stood at +13.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: South Korea (+1.1% per year) and Australia (+4.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average zinc ores and concentrates export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 49% against the previous year. In general, export price indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +5.7% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied somewhat for the major foreign markets. In 2021, the highest price was recorded for prices to Japan ($X per ton) and South Korea ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Spain ($X per ton) and Germany ($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 Belgium (+7.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Zinc Ores And Concentrates

Imports into the U.S.

Zinc ores and concentrates imports into the United States soared to X tons in 2021, increasing by 212% compared with 2020. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 20,549% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, zinc ores and concentrates imports surged to $X in 2021. In general, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 115,152%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Peru (X tons), Canada (X tons) and Mexico (X tons) were the main suppliers of zinc ores and concentrates imports to the United States, with a combined 99.9% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in Canada (with a CAGR of -3.6%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced a decline.

In value terms, Peru ($X) constituted the largest supplier of zinc ores and concentrates to the United States, comprising 77% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Canada ($X), with a 23% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Peru amounted to -6.9%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Canada (-11.8% per year) and Mexico (-51.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average zinc ores and concentrates import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 8.5% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 1,003% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Mexico ($X per ton), while the price for Canada ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mexico (+12.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :