Zinc: World Smelter Production, By Country Or Locality

This table presents detailed data on global zinc smelter production, broken down by country or locality, for the years 2019 through 2023. It distinguishes between primary production, which is derived directly from ore, and secondary production, which comes from recycled scrap material. This information is critical for understanding the supply dynamics of zinc, a metal essential to numerous industrial applications including galvanization, alloy production, and battery manufacturing. Monitoring production trends helps stakeholders assess market stability, forecast supply availability, and make informed decisions regarding trade, investment, and resource management.

Analysis of the data reveals that China remains the dominant producer, with total zinc smelter output increasing from 6,162 thousand metric tons in 2019 to an estimated 6,850 thousand metric tons in 2023, driven by growth in both primary and secondary production. India also shows a notable upward trend, with primary production rising from 691 thousand metric tons in 2019 to an estimated 812 thousand metric tons in 2023. Conversely, some countries such as Belgium and Norway have experienced declines; Belgium’s production decreased from 270 thousand metric tons in 2019 to an estimated 200 thousand metric tons in 2023, while Norway’s output fell from 195 to 164 thousand metric tons over the same period. The United States exhibits a significant increase in secondary zinc production, growing from 15 thousand metric tons in 2019 to 110 thousand metric tons in 2023, contributing to a total production rise from approximately 115 to 220 thousand metric tons. Overall, global zinc smelter production has remained relatively stable, fluctuating slightly around 13,500 to 14,000 thousand metric tons annually, underscoring steady demand and supply conditions in the zinc market.

TABLE 17
ZINC: WORLD SMELTER PRODUCTION, BY COUNTRY OR LOCALITY1, 2

(Thousand metric tons, gross weight)

Country or locality	2019		2020		2021		2022		2023
Algeria, primary³	1		1		(4)	r	1		1	e
Australia, primary	436		447		462	r	385	r	467
Belgium, primarye	270		270		270		255		200
Brazil, primary	253		257		245.345		243		231
Bulgaria, primary	74		75		72		79	r	79	e
Canada, primary	655		682		641		485		500	e
China:
Primary	5372		5462		5558		5541		5931
Secondary	790		880		850		817		919
Total	6162		6342		6408		6358		6850
Congo (Brazzaville), primary	--		--		9		12		12
Finland, primary	291		297		293		294		294
France, primary	142	r	166		165	r	109	r	120	e
Germany:
Primary	130		116		135		111	r	--	e
Secondary	50		45		30		24	r	--	e
Total	180		161		165		135	r	--	e
India, primary	691		692	r	760	r	817	r	812
Iran, primary	200	r, e	200	r, e	200	r, e	208		200	e
Italy:
Primary	74		76		66		--		--
Secondary	114		105		114		120	r	120	e
Total	188		181		180		120	r	120
Japan:
Primary	438		420	r	410	r	409	r, e	384	e
Secondary	89		79	r	107	r	107	r, e	101	e
Total	527		499	r	517		516	r	485
Kazakhstan, primary and secondary	318	r	311		301		266		272
Korea, North, primary and secondarye	10		5		5		5		5
Korea, Republic of, primary	986		987		949		965		960
Mexico, primary	389		363		357		337		353
Namibia, primary	65		16		--		--		--
Netherlands, primarye	250		250		260		180		200
Norway, primary	195		192		180		181		164
Peru, primary	340		305		328		333		323
Poland, primary	159		160		165		156		152
Russia, primary and secondary	207		212		197	r	194	r, e	190	e
Spain, primary	508		511		501		504	r	522
United States:e
Primary	100		110		110		110		110
Secondary	15		70		110		110		110
Total	114.9		180		220		220		220
Uzbekistan, primary	68		73		90		90		90	e
Vietnam, primarye	11		10		10		10		9
Grand total	13700	r	13800		14000	r	13500	r	13800
Of which:
Primary	12100	r	12100		12200	r	11800	r	12100
Secondary	1060		1180	r	1210	r	1180	r	1250
Undifferentiated	535		528		503	r	465	r	467

^eEstimated. ^rRevised. -- Zero.

¹Table includes data available through December 12, 2024. All data are reported unless otherwise noted; totals may include estimated data. Grand totals, U.S. data, and estimated data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.

²Wherever possible, detailed information on raw material source of output (primary-directly from ores, and secondary-from scrap) has been provided. In cases where raw material source is unreported and insufficient data are available to estimate the distribution of the total, that total has been left undifferentiated (primary and secondary). Some primary smelters also process secondary materials, such a Waelz oxide. However, the proportion of feedstock that is secondary is typically not reported. In these cases, all production is accounted for as primary. To the extent possible, this table reflects metal production at the first measurable stage of metal output.

³May include secondary production.

⁴Less than ½ unit.