South America Overtakes China as World’s Largest Molybdenum Producer

South America Overtakes China as World’s Largest Molybdenum Producer

According to the International Molybdenum Association (IMOA), global molybdenum output reached 67,222 t in Q2 2020—a 3 % rise over Q1 and a 3 % increase from Q2 2019. Global demand stood at 57,560.6 t, up 3 % month‑on‑month but down 14 % year‑on‑year.

South America Production 2020 Q2

Regional Production Highlights

• South America: 22,407.3 t – up 11 % month‑on‑month and 12 % year‑on‑year, surpassing China for the first time.
• China: 21,409.4 t – down 1 % month‑on‑month and 8 % year‑on‑year.
• North America: 16,692 t – the largest decline, 7 % month‑on‑month and 3 % year‑on‑year.
• Other regions: 6,713 t – up 26 % month‑on‑month and 39 % year‑on‑year.

Consumption Trends

• China: 26,716 t – a 46 % month‑on‑month jump and 7 % year‑on‑year growth, maintaining its position as the top consumer.
• Europe: 11,974.8 t – down 15 % month‑on‑month and 28 % year‑on‑year.
• Japan: 4,627 t – down 20 % month‑on‑month, 28 % year‑on‑year.
• United States: 4,309 t – down 25 % month‑on‑month, 34 % year‑on‑year.
• CIS: 1,451 t – down 25 % month‑on‑month, 44 % year‑on‑year.
• Other regions: 8,437 t – down 17 % month‑on‑month, 13 % year‑on‑year.

First‑Quarter 2020 Overview

Global production: 63,139.7 t, a 8 % month‑on‑month decline but a 1 % year‑on‑year increase. Global consumption: 56,063.7 t, down 13 % year‑on‑year.

China remained the world’s leading producer and consumer: production 21,636.2 t (‑8 % MoM, ‑6 % YoY) and consumption 18,279.7 t (‑31 % MoM, ‑18 % YoY).

Conclusion

South America’s ascent to the top of the molybdenum production ladder underscores a shifting global supply landscape. For deeper insights into molybdenum and other refractory metals, visit Advanced Refractory Metals (ARM), a premier supplier headquartered in Lake Forest, California.

ARM offers high‑quality alloys—molybdenum, tantalum, rhenium, tungsten, titanium, and zirconium—at competitive prices.