|
This table provides detailed data on the quantities and values of cobalt imported into the United States from various countries and localities, categorized by the form of cobalt—metal, oxides and hydroxides, and other forms. This information is crucial for understanding the supply chain dynamics of cobalt, a critical metal widely used in batteries, aerospace, and industrial catalysts. Tracking imports by source helps assess the diversity and reliability of supply, informs trade policy, and supports strategic planning for industries dependent on cobalt.
In 2023, the total cobalt imports for consumption reached approximately 11,800 metric tons of cobalt content, valued at about $357 million, marking an increase from the 10,500 metric tons and $597 million reported in 2022. Norway remains the leading supplier with 2,380 metric tons of cobalt metal valued at $88.4 million, followed by Canada with 1,660 metric tons valued at $69.5 million, and Japan contributing 1,670 metric tons valued at $60.3 million. Notably, Finland and Madagascar also supply significant quantities, with Finland importing 3,110 metric tons of cobalt in various forms and Madagascar providing 925 metric tons exclusively as metal. The data reveals a diversified import base, with smaller but notable contributions from countries like Belgium, the United Kingdom, and China. The shift in total import volume and value suggests evolving market conditions and demand patterns for cobalt in the U.S. economy.
| TABLE 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. IMPORTS FOR CONSUMPTION OF COBALT, BY COUNTRY OR LOCALITY1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Metal2 | Oxides and hydroxides3 | Other forms4 | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Quantity | Quantity | Quantity | Quantity | |||||||||||||||||||||
| (metric tons) | (metric tons) | (metric tons) | (metric tons) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross | Cobalt | Value6 | Gross | Cobalt | Value6 | Gross | Cobalt | Value6 | Gross | Cobalt | Value6 | |||||||||||||
| Country or locality | weight | content5 | (thousands) | weight | content5 | (thousands) | weight | content5 | (thousands) | weight | content5 | (thousands) | ||||||||||||
| 2022: | 7200 | 7200 | 458000 | 1920 | 1380 | 89100 | 6900 | 1930 | 50200 | 16000 | 10500 | 597000 | ||||||||||||
| 2023: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Australia | 58 | 58 | 1920 | 10 | 7 | 307 | -- | -- | -- | 68 | 65 | 2220 | ||||||||||||
| Belgium | 13 | 13 | 462 | 86 | 62 | 2530 | (7) | (7) | 2 | 99 | 75 | 3000 | ||||||||||||
| Brazil | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 325 | 105 | 3030 | 325 | 105 | 3030 | ||||||||||||
| Canada | 1660 | 1660 | 69500 | -- | -- | -- | 60 | 16 | 837 | 1720 | 1680 | 70300 | ||||||||||||
| China | 62 | 62 | 925 | 51 | 37 | 1030 | 76 | 21 | 750 | 190 | 120 | 2700 | ||||||||||||
| Finland | 168 | 168 | 8390 | 980 | 705 | 24600 | 1960 | 593 | 19000 | 3110 | 1470 | 52000 | ||||||||||||
| France | 8 | 8 | 379 | -- | -- | -- | 10 | 4 | 216 | 18 | 13 | 594 | ||||||||||||
| Germany | 136 | 136 | 10600 | 4 | 3 | 160 | -- | -- | -- | 140 | 139 | 10800 | ||||||||||||
| Japan | 1670 | 1670 | 60300 | 6 | 4 | 179 | -- | -- | -- | 1680 | 1680 | 60500 | ||||||||||||
| Madagascar | 925 | 925 | 32600 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 925 | 925 | 32600 | ||||||||||||
| Mexico | 30 | 30 | 1020 | 2 | 2 | 63 | 2 | (7) | 25 | 35 | 33 | 1110 | ||||||||||||
| Morocco | 222 | 222 | 7250 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 222 | 222 | 7250 | ||||||||||||
| Netherlands | -- | -- | -- | 24 | 17 | 592 | -- | -- | -- | 24 | 17 | 592 | ||||||||||||
| Norway | 2380 | 2380 | 88400 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 2380 | 2380 | 88400 | ||||||||||||
| Philippines | -- | -- | -- | 16 | 12 | 169 | -- | -- | -- | 16 | 12 | 169 | ||||||||||||
| Russia | 50 | 50 | 1850 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 50 | 50 | 1850 | ||||||||||||
| South Africa | 137 | 137 | 1450 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 137 | 137 | 1450 | ||||||||||||
| Taiwan | (7) | (7) | 28 | 67 | 48 | 2190 | 208 | 50 | 2340 | 276 | 99 | 4560 | ||||||||||||
| Turkey | 16 | 16 | 286 | 3 | 2 | 69 | -- | -- | -- | 19 | 18 | 355 | ||||||||||||
| United Kingdom | 66 | 66 | 5270 | 137 | 99 | 4000 | 97 | 32 | 1270 | 300 | 197 | 10500 | ||||||||||||
| Zambia | 63 | 63 | 2120 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 63 | 63 | 2120 | ||||||||||||
| Other | 4 | 4 | 417 | 5 | 3 | 229 | 24 | 7 | 180 | 33 | 14 | 825 | ||||||||||||
| Total | 7670 | 7670 | 293000 | 1390 | 1000 | 36100 | 2760 | 829 | 27700 | 11800 | 9500 | 357000 | ||||||||||||
-- Zero.
1Table includes data available through September 18, 2024. Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.
2Unwrought cobalt, excluding alloys and waste and scrap; includes cobalt cathode and cobalt metal powder; may include intermediate products of cobalt metallurgy. Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS) codes 8105.20.6000 and 8105.20.9000.
3HTS code 2822.00.0000.
4Cobalt acetates, cobalt carbonates, cobalt chlorides, and cobalt sulfates under HTS codes 2827.39.6000, 2833.29.1000, 2836.99.1000, and 2915.29.3000.
5Estimated from gross weight using the following cobalt content percentages: metal, 100%; oxides and hydroxides, 72%; carbonates, 46%; sulfates, 27%; chlorides, 25%; and acetates, 24%.
6Customs value.
7Less than ½ unit.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Source: United States Geological Survey Mineral Resources Program
See also: Cobalt statistics | Mineral commodity prices