Molybdenum consumption declines globally by 15% in Q3

Global consumption of molybdenum in the third quarter of 2021 fell 15% to 144.6 million pounds (mlbs), when compared to the previous quarter, according to the International Molybdenum Association (IMOA). 

Molybdenum usage fell in all regions when compared to the previous quarter, although it rose in all regions, with the exception of China, when compared to the same quarter of the previous year. 

China, the largest user at 56.2 mlbs, saw the largest percentage decrease, 23%, when compared to the previous quarter, a 14% fall when compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Usage in Europe, the second largest user, rose 10% to 30.3 mlbs when compared to the same quarter of the previous year, although this represented a fall of 14% when compared to the previous quarter. Usage in other regions rose 34% to 24.1 mlbs when compared to the same quarter of the previous year, a 7% fall when compared to the previous quarter. Usage in the U.S.A. rose 34% to 15.3 mlbs when compared to the same quarter of the previous year, a 2% fall when compared to the previous quarter. Use in Japan rose 24% to 13.1 mlbs when compared to the same quarter of the previous year, a 2% fall when compared to the previous quarter. In the CIS, usage rose 18% to 5.7 mbls when compared to the same quarter of the previous year, a 2% fall when compared to the previous quarter.

Global production of molybdenum fell by 1% to 141.7 million pounds (mlbs) in the third quarter,

 in Q3 2021 when compared to the previous quarter, a fall of 6% when compared to the same quarter of the previous year.

China was the largest producer of molybdenum at 52.3 mlbs, a 1% decline when compared to the previous quarter. South America, the second largest producer, saw a 2% rise to 45.7mlbs. North American production rose 3% to 31.4 mlbs. Production in other countries fell 17% to 12.3 mlbs.