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This table presents detailed data on the quantities and values of cobalt exports from the United States to various countries and localities, broken down by different cobalt forms including metal, oxides and hydroxides, acetates, and chlorides. This information is crucial for understanding the U.S. role in the global cobalt supply chain, a metal essential for manufacturing batteries, superalloys, and catalysts used in industries such as electric vehicles, aerospace, and electronics. Tracking export volumes and destinations helps policymakers and industry stakeholders assess market demand, trade relationships, and economic impacts related to this strategic mineral.
In 2023, the total U.S. cobalt exports amounted to approximately 5,130 metric tons of cobalt content, valued at about $168 million, showing a slight decrease from 2022’s 5,370 metric tons and $170 million. Canada remained the top destination by quantity, receiving 1,500 metric tons of cobalt content valued at $15.2 million, primarily in metal and oxides forms. Ireland also featured prominently with 1,110 metric tons valued at $34.2 million, indicating strong demand in European markets. Other notable recipients included France (471 metric tons, $14.1 million), Germany (394 metric tons, $21.6 million), and the United Kingdom (342 metric tons, $10.2 million). Smaller but significant exports went to countries in Asia such as China (160 metric tons, $9.7 million), India (206 metric tons, $9.4 million), and Taiwan (112 metric tons, $4.5 million). The data reveal a concentration of cobalt exports to developed economies with advanced manufacturing sectors, underscoring the metal’s importance in high-tech and clean energy applications.
| TABLE 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. EXPORTS OF COBALT, BY COUNTRY OR LOCALITY1, 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Metal3 | Oxides and hydroxides4 | Acetates5 | Chlorides6 | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Quantity | Quantity | Quantity | Quantity | Quantity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (metric tons) | (metric tons) | (metric tons) | (metric tons) | (metric tons) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross | Cobalt | Value8 | Gross | Cobalt | Value8 | Gross | Cobalt | Value8 | Gross | Cobalt | Value8 | Gross | Cobalt | Value8 | ||||||||||||||||
| Country or locality | weight | content7 | (thousands) | weight | content7 | (thousands) | weight | content7 | (thousands) | weight | content7 | (thousands) | weight | content7 | (thousands) | |||||||||||||||
| 2022: | 5330 | 5330 | 169000 | 43 | 31 | 1770 | (9) | (9) | 5 | 1 | (9) | 11 | 5370 | 5360 | 170000 | |||||||||||||||
| 2023: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Belgium | 34 | 34 | 493 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 34 | 34 | 493 | |||||||||||||||
| Brazil | 48 | 48 | 3290 | 11 | 8 | 125 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 59 | 56 | 3420 | |||||||||||||||
| Canada | 1450 | 1450 | 13700 | 56 | 40 | 1440 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1500 | 1490 | 15200 | |||||||||||||||
| China | 156 | 156 | 9470 | 6 | 4 | 233 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 161 | 160 | 9700 | |||||||||||||||
| France | 471 | 471 | 14100 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 471 | 471 | 14100 | |||||||||||||||
| Germany | 394 | 394 | 21600 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 394 | 394 | 21600 | |||||||||||||||
| India | 205 | 205 | 9360 | 1 | 1 | 58 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 207 | 206 | 9420 | |||||||||||||||
| Indonesia | 7 | 7 | 460 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 7 | 7 | 460 | |||||||||||||||
| Ireland | 1110 | 1110 | 34200 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1110 | 1110 | 34200 | |||||||||||||||
| Italy | 21 | 21 | 2270 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 21 | 21 | 2270 | |||||||||||||||
| Japan | 138 | 138 | 8370 | (9) | (9) | 11 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 139 | 138 | 8380 | |||||||||||||||
| Korea, Republic of | 102 | 102 | 6550 | (9) | (9) | 4 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 102 | 102 | 6550 | |||||||||||||||
| Luxembourg | 39 | 39 | 1110 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 39 | 39 | 1110 | |||||||||||||||
| Malaysia | 10 | 10 | 467 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 10 | 10 | 467 | |||||||||||||||
| Mexico | 15 | 15 | 3390 | 4 | 3 | 121 | 1 | (9) | 10 | 1 | (9) | 9 | 20 | 18 | 3530 | |||||||||||||||
| Netherlands | 27 | 27 | 1220 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 27 | 27 | 1220 | |||||||||||||||
| Philippines | 8 | 8 | 731 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 8 | 8 | 731 | |||||||||||||||
| Saudi Arabia | 6 | 6 | 592 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 6 | 6 | 592 | |||||||||||||||
| Singapore | 52 | 52 | 5380 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 52 | 52 | 5380 | |||||||||||||||
| Switzerland | 8 | 8 | 1070 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 8 | 8 | 1070 | |||||||||||||||
| Taiwan | 111 | 111 | 4460 | 1 | 1 | 45 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 113 | 112 | 4500 | |||||||||||||||
| Thailand | 9 | 9 | 933 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 9 | 9 | 933 | |||||||||||||||
| Tunisia | 175 | 175 | 5480 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 175 | 175 | 5480 | |||||||||||||||
| Turkey | 83 | 83 | 4060 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 83 | 83 | 4060 | |||||||||||||||
| United Arab Emirates | 6 | 6 | 646 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 6 | 6 | 646 | |||||||||||||||
| United Kingdom | 341 | 341 | 10200 | (9) | (9) | 16 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 342 | 342 | 10200 | |||||||||||||||
| Other | 22 | 22 | 2110 | 4 | 3 | 177 | -- | -- | -- | (9) | (9) | 4 | 26 | 25 | 2300 | |||||||||||||||
| Total | 5050 | 5050 | 166000 | 84 | 60 | 2230 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 1 | (9) | 13 | 5130 | 5110 | 168000 | |||||||||||||||
-- 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.
2In addition to the materials listed, the United States exported cobalt ores and concentrates and wrought cobalt and cobalt articles.
3Includes unwrought cobalt, powders, waste and scrap, and mattes and other intermediate products of cobalt metallurgy exported under Schedule B of the United States numbers 8105.20.0000 and 8105.30.0000.
4Schedule B number 2822.00.0000.
5Schedule B number 2915.29.3000.
6Schedule B number 2827.39.6000.
7Estimated from gross weight using the following cobalt content percentages: metal, 100%; oxides and hydroxides, 72%; acetates, 24%; and chlorides, 25%.
8Free alongside ship value.
9Less than ½ unit.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Source: United States Geological Survey Mineral Resources Program
See also: Cobalt statistics | Mineral commodity prices