U.S. Imports And Exports Of Amalgams1 Of Precious Metals, Whether Or Not Chemically Defined, By Country Or Locality

This table presents detailed data on the quantities and values of precious metal amalgams imported to and exported from the United States, broken down by country or locality for the years 2022 and 2023. These amalgams, which are alloys of mercury with one or more precious metals, play a critical role in various industrial applications, including electronics, dentistry, and metal refining. Tracking import and export trends helps to understand the supply chain dynamics, assess economic dependencies, and inform policy decisions related to trade, resource management, and environmental considerations.

Analysis of the data reveals a significant increase in total imports from 34,900 kilograms valued at $106 million in 2022 to 53,700 kilograms valued at $147 million in 2023, indicating a growing demand or supply adjustment for these materials. Germany stands out as the top importer, with imports rising sharply from 2,550 kilograms ($6.1 million) to 14,200 kilograms ($23.4 million). Imports from China and Colombia also surged notably, with Colombia’s imports increasing from 572 kilograms ($77,000) to 3,180 kilograms ($153,000). On the export side, total quantities grew from 416,000 kilograms ($1.45 billion) in 2022 to 586,000 kilograms ($1.01 billion) in 2023, although the total export value declined, suggesting changes in market prices or product composition. Canada and Belgium were leading export destinations in terms of quantity, with Canada’s exports more than tripling from 45,300 kilograms to 144,000 kilograms, while Belgium’s exports doubled from 16,700 kilograms to 33,600 kilograms. Conversely, Mexico, despite a large export quantity increase from 27,300 to 38,100 kilograms, saw a substantial decrease in export value from $727 million to $574 million. These shifts highlight evolving trade relationships and market conditions affecting the precious metals amalgam sector.