IndexBox has just published a new report: ‘World – Zirconium Ores and Concentrates – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights’. Here is a summary of the report’s key findings.

The global zirconium ore and concentrate market soared by +16% y-o-y to $2.4B in 2020. China, Australia and the U.S. lead global zirconium ore and concentrate consumption, with a combined 78%-share of the total volume. China prevails in global zirconium concentrate imports, steadily increasing the volume of purchases over the last decade. In 2020, the world average import price for zirconium ores and concentrates amounted to $987 per tonne, rising at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the past ten years.

Global Consumption of Zirconium Ores and Concentrates

The global zirconium ores and concentrate market soared to $2.4B in 2020, increasing by +16% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, indirect taxes and intermediaries’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% from 2010 to 2020.

The countries with the highest volumes of zirconium ores and concentrates consumption in 2020 were China (1.2M tonnes), Australia (711K tonnes) and the U.S. (98K tonnes), together comprising 78% of global consumption. These countries were followed by Spain, India, Senegal and South Africa, which together accounted for a further 10%.

In value terms, China ($976M), Australia ($529M) and the U.S. ($155M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2020, together accounting for 70% of the global market. These countries were followed by Spain, India, Senegal and South Africa, which together accounted for a further 14%.

In 2020, the highest levels of zirconium ores and concentrates per capita consumption was registered in Australia (28 kg per person), followed by Senegal (3 kg per person), Spain (2 kg per person) and South Africa (1 kg per person), while the world average was estimated at 0.33 kg per person.

Global Imports of Zirconium Ores and Concentrates

In 2020, supplies from abroad of zirconium ores and concentrates decreased by -8% to 1.5M tonnes, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. In value terms, zirconium ore and concentrate imports shrank markedly to $1.5B (IndexBox estimates) in 2020. Overall, total imports indicated a mild expansion from 2010 to 2020: the value increased at an average annual rate of +0.5% over the last decade.

China prevails in zirconium concentrate import structure, resulting in 1.1M tonnes, which was approx. 72% of total imports in 2020. It was distantly followed by Spain (101K tonnes), generating a 6.7% share of total imports. India (56K tonnes), Malaysia (35K tonnes), Italy (35K tonnes) and the U.S. (24K tonnes) held a minor share of total imports.

From 2010 to 2020, the average annual growth rates of zirconium ore and concentrate imports into China stood at +4.0%. Over this period, China increased its imports from 732K tonnes to 1.1M tonnes. From 2010 to 2020, China (+21 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in zirconium ore and concentrate imports.

Malaysia (+6.3%) and India (+1.8%) also displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Malaysia emerged as the fastest-growing importer globally, with a CAGR of +6.3% from 2010-2020. Meanwhile, the U.S. experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Spain (-3.6%) and Italy (-9.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period.

In value terms, China ($869M) constitutes the largest market for imported zirconium ores and concentrates worldwide, comprising 59% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Spain ($142M), with a 9.6% share of global imports, and it was followed by India, with a 5.3% share.

In 2020, the global average import price for zirconium ores and concentrates amounted to $987 per tonne, declining by -9.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import price indicated a modest increase from 2010 to 2020: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the last decade.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2020, the country with the highest price was the U.S. ($2,000 per tonne), while China ($1,000 per tonne) was amongst the lowest. In 2020, the U.S. attained the most notable price growth rate, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform