This list reveals the top 10 zinc importers based on their percentage of global import purchases (shown within parenthesis). In 2017, world zinc imports totaled US$20.2 billion.
African Importers
Africa imported $582.8 million worth of zinc led by the following countries:
1. South Africa: $212.7 million
2. Egypt: $79.2 million
3. Morocco: $41.8 million
4. Kenya: $39.6 million
5. Nigeria: $38.5 million
6. Tunisia: $30.3 million
7. Ethiopia: $26.4 million
8. Djibouti: $23.3 million
9. Algeria: $20.7 million
10. Chad: $13.2 million
Asian Importers
Asia imported $7.9 billion worth of zinc led by the following countries:
1. China: $2.5 billion
2. Turkey: $879.4 million
3. Taiwan: $794.9 million
4. India: $722.2 million
5. Vietnam: $620.6 million
6. Malaysia: $424.8 million
7. Indonesia: $419.4 million
8. Thailand: $392.1 million
9. Hong Kong: $251 million
10. South Korea: $223.2 million
European Union (EU) Importers
European Union imported $7.8 billion worth of zinc led by the following EU members:
1. Germany: $1.9 billion
2. Belgium: $1.2 billion
3. Netherlands: $858.7 million
4. Italy: $802.9 million
5. France: $776.4 million
6. Austria: $471.9 million
7. United Kingdom: $400.2 million
8. Poland: $288.2 million
9. Slovakia: $173.2 million
10. Czech Republic: $171.1 million
Latin American and Caribbean Importers
Latin America (excluding Mexico) and the Caribbean imported $415.3 million worth of zinc led by the following countries:
1. Brazil: $103.3 million
2. Argentina: $101.4 million
3. Colombia: $71.8 million
4. Chile: $32.2 million
5. Guatemala: $27.6 million
6. Ecuador: $23.1 million
7. Costa Rica: $20 million
8. Peru: $10.6 million
9. Honduras: $4.3 million
10. El Salvador: $3.3 million
Middle Eastern Importers
Middle East imported $621 million worth of zinc led by the following countries:
1. United Arab Emirates: $313.5 million
2. Saudi Arabia: $201.5 million
3. Oman: $29.9 million
4. Israel: $22.6 million
5. Qatar: $15.3 million
6. Kuwait: $13.8 million
7. Iraq: $8.8 million
8. Iran: $5.9 million
9. Jordan: $5 million
10. Bahrain: $2.6 million
North American Importers
North America imported $2.5 billion worth of zinc led by the following countries:
1. United States: $2.2 billion
2. Mexico: $169.1 million
3. Canada: $82.9 million
Oceanian Importers
Oceania imported $104.6 million worth of zinc led by the following countries:
1. Australia: $63 million
2. New Zealand: $38.5 million
3. Papua New Guinea: $1.7 million
4. Vanuatu: $277,000
5. New Caledonia: $238,000
6. Fiji: $217,000
7. Marshall Islands: $212,000
8. Solomon Islands: $113,000
9. French Polynesia: $78,000
10. Micronesia: $76,000
To see the 25 fastest-growing zinc importers from 2013 to 2017, use the slidebar on the accompanying list. Overall, the 5-year percentage gain for globally imported zinc was 49.5%.
Data source: Trade Map, International Trade Centre, www.intracen.org/marketanalysis
Top Zinc Importers 2017
Fastest-Growing Zinc 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.
