Overview of the Global Market for Zinc Ores And Concentrates

Market Size for Zinc Ores And Concentrates

In 2021, the global zinc ores and concentrates market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. In general, consumption showed resilient growth. As a result, consumption attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Production of Zinc Ores And Concentrates

In value terms, zinc ores and concentrates production skyrocketed to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, the total production indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.4% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, production reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports of Zinc Ores And Concentrates

Exports

In 2021, the amount of zinc ores and concentrates exported worldwide was estimated at X tons, almost unchanged from the previous year. Overall, exports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 9.5%. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, zinc ores and concentrates exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. In general, total exports indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 51%. The global exports peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Australia (X tons) and Peru (X tons) represented the major exporters of zinc ores and concentrates in 2021, accounting for near 20% and 15% of total exports, respectively. It was distantly followed by Turkey (X tons), Belgium (X tons), the United States (X tons) and South Africa (X tons), together comprising a 25% share of total exports. Bolivia (X tons), Sweden (X tons), Portugal (X tons), Russia (X tons), Kazakhstan (X tons), Eritrea (X tons) and Spain (X tons) took a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by South Africa (with a CAGR of +22.4%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest zinc ores and concentrates supplying countries worldwide were Australia ($X), Peru ($X) and the United States ($X), together accounting for 42% of global exports. Bolivia, Belgium, Sweden, Turkey, South Africa, Portugal, Russia, Kazakhstan, Eritrea and Spain lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 41%.

Portugal, with a CAGR of +28.2%, 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 global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average zinc ores and concentrates export price amounted to $X per ton, jumping by 41% against the previous year. In general, export price indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +5.3% over the last nine-year period. 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.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bolivia (+12.7%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Zinc Ores And Concentrates

Imports

In 2021, supplies from abroad of zinc ores and concentrates increased by 2.3% to X tons, rising for the fifth year in a row after two years of decline. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 11%. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs in 2021 and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, zinc ores and concentrates imports soared to $X in 2021. Overall, total imports indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.3% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 54% against the previous year. Global imports peaked in 2021 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

In 2021, China (X tons), distantly followed by South Korea (X tons), Belgium (X tons), Japan (X tons), Spain (X tons) and Finland (X tons) were the major importers of zinc ores and concentrates, together generating 68% of total imports. The following importers - the Netherlands (X tons), Iran (X tons), Canada (X tons), Germany (X tons), Norway (X tons), France (X tons) and Australia (X tons) - together made up 21% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to zinc ores and concentrates imports into China stood at +7.7%. At the same time, Iran (+73.6%), Canada (+8.3%), Australia (+3.4%), Norway (+2.4%) and the Netherlands (+1.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Iran emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +73.6% from 2012-2021. Finland, France, Germany, Belgium, South Korea and Japan experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Spain (-4.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. China (+10 p.p.) and Iran (+3.8 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global imports, while Japan, Belgium, South Korea and Spain saw its share reduced by -1.9%, -2%, -3.4% and -4.8% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest zinc ores and concentrates importing markets worldwide were China ($X), South Korea ($X) and Belgium ($X), together comprising 51% of global imports. These countries were followed by Japan, Canada, Spain, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, Germany, Australia, France and Iran, which together accounted for a further 39%.

Iran, with a CAGR of +55.5%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average zinc ores and concentrates import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 47% against the previous year. In general, import price indicated a temperate expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2018; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Australia (+8.0%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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