Zinc ore is an important non-ferrous metal. According to CRI’s analysis, in China, the construction sector is the main application area for zinc, followed by the automotive industry, infrastructure, industrial machinery and consumer goods. In recent years, demand for galvanized sheet metal has been rising in China’s automotive, home appliance and highway industries.
China needs to import a large amount of zinc ore every year due to its limited indigenous zinc reserves. In 2021, China imported 3,634,400 tons of zinc ore, down 4.97% year-on-year, with an import value of US$3,981 million, up 53.76% year-on-year, according to CRI analysis. From January to October 2022, China imported 3,265,700 tons of zinc ore, up 7.80% year-on-year, with an import value of US$3.967 billion, an increase of 22.54% year-on-year.
CRI analysis shows that the average price of zinc ore imports in China generally shows a decreasing and then increasing trend in 2018-2022. In 2018-2020, the average price of zinc ore imports in China decreases continuously, from US$1.09 per kg to US$0.68 per kg. In 2021-2022, the average price of zinc ore imports in China continues to increase. From January to October 2022, the average price of zinc ore imports in China was US$1.21 per kg, an increase of 13.67% year-on-year.
In 2021, China imported zinc ore from 45 countries. CRI analysis shows that Australia, Peru, South Africa, the Russian Federation and Eritrea are China’s major sources of zinc ore imports by import volume. Among them, Australia is China’s largest source of zinc ore imports. in 2021, China imported 1,071,200 tons of zinc ore from Australia, accounting for 29.47% of total zinc ore imports in that year, with an import value of US$1,179 million, accounting for 29.61% of total imports.
China is one of the world’s major zinc consumers and a major global importer of zinc. As China’s demand for zinc expands in areas such as infrastructure construction and the automotive industry, CRI expects that the size of China’s zinc imports is expected to maintain growth over the period 2023-2032.


Topics covered:

China’s Zinc Ore Import Status and Major Sources in 2018-2022
What is the Impact of COVID-19 on China’s Zinc Ore Import?
Which Companies are the Major Players in China’s Zinc Ore Import Market and What are their Competitive Benchmarks?
Key Drivers and Market Opportunities in China’s Zinc Ore Import
What are the Key Drivers, Challenges, and Opportunities for China’s Zinc Ore Import during 2023-2032?
What is the Expected Revenue of China’s Zinc Ore Import during 2023-2032?
What are the Strategies Adopted by the Key Players in the Market to Increase Their Market Share in the Industry?
What are the Competitive Advantages of the Major Players in China’s Zinc Ore Import Market?
Which Segment of China’s Zinc Ore Import is Expected to Dominate the Market in 2032?
What are the Major Adverse Factors Facing China’s Zinc Ore Import?