U.S. Exports Of Molybdenum Products

This table presents detailed data on the quantities and values of various molybdenum products exported from the United States in 2022 and 2023. It includes categories such as roasted and unroasted molybdenum ore and concentrates, molybdenum chemicals, ferromolybdenum, powders, waste and scrap, wire, and other forms. Tracking these exports is economically significant because molybdenum is a critical industrial metal used primarily to enhance the strength and corrosion resistance of steel alloys, which are essential in construction, automotive, aerospace, and energy sectors. Understanding export trends helps gauge the health of the U.S. molybdenum industry, its competitiveness in global markets, and the demand dynamics for this strategic metal.

Analysis of the data reveals a notable increase in the total export value of molybdenum products, rising from $1.2 billion in 2022 to $1.68 billion in 2023. Specifically, roasted molybdenum ore and concentrates saw molybdenum content exports grow from 18,400 metric tons to 22,500 metric tons, with value increasing from $505 million to $826 million. Conversely, unroasted concentrates experienced a slight decline in molybdenum content exported, from 27,800 to 26,600 metric tons, and a decrease in value from $558 million to $710 million. Among molybdenum chemicals, molybdates exports increased in molybdenum content from 2,000 to 1,670 metric tons but rose in value from $41.1 million to $48 million, indicating higher prices or value-added products. Ferromolybdenum exports more than doubled in both quantity and value, with molybdenum content increasing from 131 to 241 metric tons and value from $6.34 million to $14.3 million. Additionally, molybdenum waste and scrap exports more than tripled in gross weight from 332 to 1,070 metric tons and nearly doubled in value from $10.7 million to $20.1 million. These shifts suggest growing international demand for refined and recycled molybdenum products, reflecting evolving market preferences and possibly supply chain adjustments.