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This table presents detailed statistics on the quantities and values of vanadium-bearing ash and residues imported into and exported from the United States. These materials are important secondary sources of vanadium, a critical metal used primarily in steel alloys to enhance strength and corrosion resistance, as well as in emerging technologies such as energy storage and aerospace applications. Tracking imports and exports of these residues provides insight into the supply chain dynamics of vanadium, reflecting industrial demand, trade relationships, and the availability of domestic versus foreign sources. Economic decisions and policy considerations related to resource security and trade balance can be informed by this data.
Analysis of the 2022 and 2023 data reveals several notable trends. Imports declined sharply from a total gross weight of 9,440 kilograms in 2022 to just 666 kilograms in 2023, with vanadium content dropping from 200,000 to 457 kilograms, although the total import value more than doubled from $11.3 million to $26.2 million, indicating a possible shift toward higher-value or more refined materials. Canada remained a key source, though specific quantities were suppressed, while imports from China appeared for the first time in 2023 at 666 kilograms with 457 kilograms of vanadium content. Conversely, imports from Russia increased from 774,000 kilograms in 2022 to 1,290,000 kilograms in 2023 but with no reported vanadium content in 2023, suggesting changes in material composition or reporting. Exports increased from 2,010,000 kilograms in 2022 to 2,660,000 kilograms in 2023, with notable growth to France (from 147,000 to 357,000 kilograms) and Mexico (from 69,700 to 888,000 kilograms). The Netherlands remained a major export destination, though volumes slightly decreased. These shifts highlight evolving trade patterns and possibly changing industrial demands or supply constraints in the vanadium market.
| TABLE 5 | |||||||||||||||
| U.S. IMPORTS AND EXPORTS OF VANADIUM-BEARING ASH AND RESIDUES1 | |||||||||||||||
| (Kilograms unless otherwise specified) | |||||||||||||||
| HTS codes and Schedule B numbers2 | 2022 | 2023 | |||||||||||||
| Gross | Vanadium | Gross | Vanadium | ||||||||||||
| Country or locality | weight | content3 | Value | weight | content3 | Value | |||||||||
| Imports for consumption: | 2620.40.0030, | ||||||||||||||
| 2620.99.1000 | |||||||||||||||
| Canada | (4) | (4) | 6730000 | (4) | (4) | 6610000 | |||||||||
| China | -- | -- | -- | 666 | 457 | 2800 | |||||||||
| Curacao | 169000 | 74700 | 622000 | -- | -- | -- | |||||||||
| Kuwait | (4) | (4) | 587000 | (4) | (4) | 5650000 | |||||||||
| Russia | 774000 | 126000 | 1290000 | -- | -- | -- | |||||||||
| Vietnam | (4) | (4) | 2050000 | (4) | (4) | 13900000 | |||||||||
| Total | 944000 | 200000 | 11300000 | 666 | 457 | 26200000 | |||||||||
| Exports: | 2620.50.0000, | ||||||||||||||
| 2620.99.1000 | |||||||||||||||
| Australia | 4990 | NA | 3000 | -- | -- | -- | |||||||||
| Austria | -- | -- | -- | 152000 | NA | 171000 | |||||||||
| Belgium | 345000 | NA | 312000 | 48300 | NA | 230000 | |||||||||
| Brazil | 38500 | NA | 4200 | -- | -- | -- | |||||||||
| France | 147000 | NA | 357000 | 860000 | NA | 1450000 | |||||||||
| Germany | 85400 | NA | 28100 | 147000 | NA | 188000 | |||||||||
| Guadeloupe | 19100 | NA | 6720 | -- | -- | -- | |||||||||
| Italy | -- | -- | -- | 38900 | NA | 200000 | |||||||||
| Japan | 410000 | NA | 184000 | -- | -- | -- | |||||||||
| Korea, Republic of | 126000 | NA | 110000 | 38700 | NA | 56700 | |||||||||
| Mexico | 69700 | NA | 888000 | 65800 | NA | 1130000 | |||||||||
| Netherlands | 760000 | NA | 698000 | 186000 | NA | 190000 | |||||||||
| United Arab Emirates | 5770 | NA | 74200 | -- | -- | -- | |||||||||
| Total | 2010000 | XX | 2660000 | 1540000 | XX | 3610000 | |||||||||
NA Not available. XX Not applicable. -- Zero.
1Table includes data available through July 2, 2024. Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown. Does not include U.S. Geological Survey estimates for data suppressed by U.S. Census Bureau.
2Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS) codes are imports and Schedule B numbers are exports.
3Data are in kilograms of vanadium pentoxide equivalent.
4Data suppressed by the U.S. Census Bureau; not included in “Total.” See table 1 for U.S. imports and exports of vanadium-bearing ash and residues that includes U.S. Geological Survey estimates for suppressed data.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Source: United States Geological Survey Mineral Resources Program
See also: Vanadium statistics | Mineral commodity prices