This list reveals the top 10 ivory importers based on their percentage of global import purchases (shown within parenthesis). In 2015, world imports of ivory and ivory artwork totaled US$142.5 million.
African Importers
Africa imported $67,000 worth of ivory led by the following countries:
1. South Africa: $39,000
2. Cameroon: $8,000
3. French South Antarctic Terr: $6,000
4. Uganda: $4,000
5. Mozambique: $3,000
6. Zambia: $2,000
7. Benin: $1,000
8. Swaziland: $1,000
9. Namibia: $1,000
10. Lesotho: $1,000
Asian Importers
Asia imported $108.5 million worth of ivory led by the following countries:
1. Hong Kong: $43.1 million
2. South Korea: $32.6 million
3. China: $23.3 million
4. Taiwan: $4.4 million
5. Japan: $3.7 million
6. Vietnam: $990,000
7. Macao: $301,000
8. India: $65,000
9. Malaysia: $35,000
10. Pakistan: $16,000
European Union Importers
European Union imported $27.8 million worth of ivory led by the following EU members:
1. Germany: $11.5 million
2. Czech Republic: $6 million
3. Spain: $2.7 million
4. Austria: $2.1 million
5. United Kingdom: $1.5 million
6. Belgium: $870,000
7. Italy: $837,000
8. Slovakia: $604,000
9. France: $520,000
10. Netherlands: $366,000
Latin American and Caribbean Importers
Latin America (excluding Mexico) and the Caribbean imported $10,000 worth of ivory led by the following countries:
1. Peru: $4,000
2. Bahamas: $2,000
3. Suriname: $2,000
4. Guyana: $1,000
5. Nicaragua: $1,000
Middle Eastern Importers
Middle East imported $690,000 worth of ivory led by the following countries:
1. United Arab Emirates: $555,000
2. Israel: $118,000
3. Lebanon: $16,000
4. Qatar: $1,000
North American Importers
North America imported $3.7 million worth of ivory led by the following countries:
1. United States: $2.6 million
2. Canada: $1.1 million
3. Mexico: $20,000
Oceanian Importers
Oceania imported $192,000 worth of ivory led by the following countries:
1. Australia: $169,000
2. New Zealand: $17,000
3. New Caledonia: $6,000
To see the fastest-growing ivory importers from 2011 to 2015, see the accompanying list. Overall, the 5-year percentage gain for globally imported ivory was 57.9%.
Data source: Trade Map, International Trade Centre, www.intracen.org/marketanalysis
Top Ivory Importers 2015
Fastest-Growing Ivory Import Countries
Research Note: Import numbers rarely match the source exporters’ stats. Reasons for import-export statistical discrepancies include re-exports, time lags, misallocations, distinct trade reporting systems, different quantity measurements and country confidentiality rules. Also, transportation and insurance costs are sometimes added to import totals.
