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This table provides detailed information on the quantities and values of ferrosilicon and silicon metal exported from the United States to various countries and localities. It breaks down exports by product type and silicon content, offering insight into the gross weight, silicon content, and monetary value of shipments for the years 2022 and 2023. This data is crucial for understanding the role of these materials in global supply chains, as ferrosilicon and silicon metal are essential in steelmaking, aluminum alloys, electronics, and solar industries. Tracking export trends helps stakeholders assess market demand, trade balances, and the economic health of the U.S. mineral sector.
Analysis of the data reveals a notable decline in total ferrosilicon exports, dropping from 16,000 metric tons in 2022 to 9,040 metric tons in 2023, with the associated value decreasing from $28.7 million to $17.4 million. Exports of ferrosilicon containing more than 55% silicon to Canada fell sharply from 8,820 to 2,210 metric tons, while shipments to Belgium, previously zero, rose to 214 metric tons. Mexico remained a significant destination, with exports increasing from 1,920 to 2,980 metric tons in the same category. Silicon metal exports also decreased from 47,200 metric tons in 2022 to 42,500 metric tons in 2023, with a value drop from $1.62 billion to $1.32 billion. Japan and Vietnam were top recipients, although Japan’s imports declined from 11,200 to 9,180 metric tons, and Vietnam’s increased from 13,000 to 16,000 metric tons. These shifts highlight changing international demand patterns and potential impacts on U.S. producers and trade relationships.
| TABLE 5 | ||||||||||||
| U.S. EXPORTS OF FERROSILICON AND SILICON METAL BY COUNTRY OR LOCALITY1, 2 | ||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2023 | |||||||||||
| Quantity | Quantity | |||||||||||
| Gross weight | Silicon content | Gross weight | Silicon content | |||||||||
| Country or locality | (metric tons) | (metric tons) | Value | (metric tons) | (metric tons) | Value | ||||||
| Ferrosilicon: | ||||||||||||
| More than 55% silicon: | ||||||||||||
| Belgium | -- | -- | -- | 214 | 135 | 195000 | ||||||
| Canada | 8820 | 5290 | 15300000 | 2210 | 1320 | 4610000 | ||||||
| France | 17 | 10 | 27000 | 52 | 35 | 114000 | ||||||
| Germany | 763 | 560 | 1550000 | 80 | 62 | 177000 | ||||||
| India | 40 | 28 | 67200 | 145 | 91 | 310000 | ||||||
| Japan | -- | -- | -- | 26 | 16 | 40500 | ||||||
| Mexico | 1920 | 1150 | 3100000 | 2980 | 1890 | 4780000 | ||||||
| Netherlands | -- | -- | -- | 668 | 401 | 399000 | ||||||
| Thailand | 14 | 8 | 21800 | 78 | 47 | 184000 | ||||||
| Turkey | -- | -- | -- | 305 | 268 | 942000 | ||||||
| Other [6 countries and (or) localities] | 71 | r | 43 | r | 111000 | r | 47 | 28 | 71600 | |||
| Total | 11600 | 7090 | 20200000 | 6800 | 4300 | 11800000 | ||||||
| Other ferrosilicon: | ||||||||||||
| Belgium | 360 | 161 | 367000 | 288 | 126 | 382000 | ||||||
| Brazil | 293 | 146 | 760000 | 214 | 107 | 748000 | ||||||
| Canada | 1430 | 280 | 1900000 | 526 | 134 | 856000 | ||||||
| China | 20 | 10 | 50600 | 2 | 1 | 4270 | ||||||
| Germany | -- | -- | -- | 60 | 27 | 111000 | ||||||
| Mexico | 1820 | 654 | 4460000 | 752 | 331 | 2570000 | ||||||
| Singapore | -- | -- | -- | 9 | 5 | 11700 | ||||||
| Spain | -- | -- | -- | 60 | 30 | 159000 | ||||||
| Switzerland | -- | -- | -- | 80 | 36 | 210000 | ||||||
| Turkey | 120 | 54 | 251000 | 240 | 108 | 553000 | ||||||
| Other [7 countries and (or) localities] | 312 | r | 122 | r | 723000 | r | -- | -- | -- | |||
| Total | 4360 | 1430 | 8520000 | 2230 | 904 | 5600000 | ||||||
| Total ferrosilicon | 16000 | 8520 | 28700000 | 9040 | 5200 | 17400000 | ||||||
| Metal | ||||||||||||
| More than 99.99% silicon: | ||||||||||||
| China | 3250 | 3250 | 112000000 | 938 | 938 | 39100000 | ||||||
| Denmark | 176 | 176 | 11200000 | 256 | 256 | 33500000 | ||||||
| Germany | 5030 | 5030 | 161000000 | 2440 | 2440 | 98000000 | ||||||
| Japan | 11200 | 11200 | 492000000 | 9180 | 9180 | 440000000 | ||||||
| Korea, Republic of | 832 | 832 | 33300000 | 703 | 703 | 32200000 | ||||||
| Malaysia | 2550 | 2550 | 108000000 | 3380 | 3380 | 64000000 | ||||||
| Singapore | 2020 | 2020 | 55300000 | 1400 | 1400 | 41600000 | ||||||
| Taiwan | 4680 | 4680 | 104000000 | 3270 | 3270 | 65400000 | ||||||
| Turkey | 948 | 948 | 32800000 | 739 | 739 | 23400000 | ||||||
| Vietnam | 13000 | 13000 | 476000000 | 16000 | 16000 | 447000000 | ||||||
| Other [42 countries and (or) localities] | 834 | r | 834 | r | 31600000 | r | 326 | 326 | 17400000 | |||
| Total | 44600 | 44600 | 1620000000 | 38600 | 38600 | 1300000000 | ||||||
| 99.00%–99.99% silicon: | ||||||||||||
| Belgium | 124 | 121 | 344000 | 123 | 111 | 167000 | ||||||
| Equatorial Guinea | -- | -- | -- | 32 | 31 | 44600 | ||||||
| France | 50 | 50 | 70800 | 42 | 41 | 58600 | ||||||
| Italy | -- | -- | -- | 17 | 17 | 23800 | ||||||
| Korea, Republic of | 15 | 15 | 21300 | 20 | 22 | 31000 | ||||||
| Malaysia | -- | -- | -- | 49 | 49 | 69700 | ||||||
| Norway | -- | -- | -- | 33 | 33 | 86300 | ||||||
| Singapore | 2 | 2 | 3320 | 32 | 32 | 69100 | ||||||
| St Kitts and Nevis | -- | -- | -- | 13 | 13 | 18900 | ||||||
| Taiwan | 5 | 5 | 6410 | 29 | 29 | 41100 | ||||||
| Other [15 countries and (or) localities] | 788 | r | 781 | r | 1760000 | r | 56 | 67 | 101000 | |||
| Total | 984 | 974 | r | 2200000 | 446 | 445 | 711000 | |||||
| Other silicon: | ||||||||||||
| Belgium | 192 | 186 | 355000 | 62 | 60 | 102000 | ||||||
| Canada | 187 | 182 | 597000 | 1120 | 1090 | 3690000 | ||||||
| China | 146 | 142 | 193000 | 97 | 94 | 128000 | ||||||
| Germany | 136 | 132 | 287000 | 206 | 201 | 503000 | ||||||
| India | (3) | (3) | 3260 | 22 | 21 | 35800 | ||||||
| Mexico | 467 | 453 | 2170000 | 404 | 393 | 1580000 | ||||||
| Netherlands | 309 | 300 | 371000 | 611 | 593 | 495000 | ||||||
| South Africa | 131 | 128 | 186000 | 168 | 163 | 222000 | ||||||
| Trinidad and Tobago | 30 | 29 | 60100 | 57 | 55 | 110000 | ||||||
| Vietnam | -- | -- | -- | 692 | 658 | 11800000 | ||||||
| Other [17 countries and (or) localities] | 31 | r | 30 | r | 98900 | r | 27 | 30 | 130000 | |||
| Total | 1630 | 1580 | 4320000 | 3470 | 3360 | 18900000 | ||||||
| Total silicon metal | 47200 | 47100 | 1620000000 | 42500 | 42400 | 1320000000 | ||||||
rRevised. -- Zero.
1Table includes data available through July 8, 2024. Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.
2Presentation of data is based on the 2023 annual quantities (gross weight) of the leading countries and (or) localities.
3Less than ½ unit.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Source: United States Geological Survey Mineral Resources Program
See also: Silicon statistics | Mineral commodity prices