EU External Trade - ORES, SLAG AND ASH, Cobalt ores and concentrates

Extra-EU sourcing of ORES, SLAG AND ASH, Cobalt ores and concentrates is highly concentrated. 🇬🇧 United Kingdom captures 67.8% of imports (€1.0M), followed by 🇺🇸 United States (27.8%). With an HHI of 5386, this Concentrated market exposes the EU to supply dependency risks.

European exports of ORES, SLAG AND ASH, Cobalt ores and concentrates are concentrated on a few markets. 🇧🇷 Brazil accounts for 74.6% (€4.7M), ahead of 🇲🇾 Malaysia (7.7%). The top three destinations are 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇲🇾 Malaysia, 🇨🇳 China.

Within the EU, 🇳🇱 Netherlands concentrates 44.2% of ORES, SLAG AND ASH, Cobalt ores and concentrates imports, well ahead of 🇮🇪 Ireland (28.3%). The top importing member states are 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇫🇷 France.

In 2025, trade flows diverged: imports were surging (60.7%) while exports were falling sharply (-52.1%), signalling a structural market shift.