This list reveals the top 10 copper importers based on their percentage of global import purchases (shown within parenthesis). In 2017, world copper imports totaled US$150.3 billion.
African Importers
Africa imported $2.7 billion worth of copper led by the following countries:
1. Egypt: $707.5 million
2. South Africa: $520.1 million
3. Morocco: $473.9 million
4. Tunisia: $405.9 million
5. Algeria: $273.8 million
6. Kenya: $39.7 million
7. Ethiopia: $35.3 million
8. Nigeria: $33 million
9. Senegal: $27.3 million
10. Tanzania: $25.6 million
Asian Importers
Asia imported $76.7 billion worth of copper led by the following countries:
1. China: $41.2 billion
2. Taiwan: $5.7 billion
3. South Korea: $5.7 billion
4. Thailand: $4 billion
5. Malaysia: $3.5 billion
6. India: $3.4 billion
7. Turkey: $3.3 billion
8. Japan: $2.7 billion
9. Vietnam: $1.9 billion
10. Singapore: $1.3 billion
European Union (EU) Importers
European Union imported $43.8 billion worth of copper led by the following EU members:
1. Germany: $10.9 billion
2. Italy: $7.1 billion
3. Belgium: $3.7 billion
4. France: $3.4 billion
5. Netherlands: $3.2 billion
6. United Kingdom: $2.1 billion
7. Spain: $1.9 billion
8. Austria: $1.7 billion
9. Poland: $1.6 billion
10. Czech Republic: $1.3 billion
Latin American and Caribbean Importers
Latin America (excluding Mexico) and the Caribbean imported $2.6 billion worth of copper led by the following countries:
1. Brazil: $1.4 billion
2. Colombia: $289.2 million
3. Argentina: $272.5 million
4. Ecuador: $87.5 million
5. Costa Rica: $87.2 million
6. Chile: $85.4 million
7. Dominican Republic: $37.9 million
8. Nicaragua: $36.5 million
9. Peru: $29.9 million
10. Cuba: $27.1 million
Middle Eastern Importers
Middle East imported $5.4 billion worth of copper led by the following countries:
1. Saudi Arabia: $2 billion
2. United Arab Emirates: $1.8 billion
3. Oman: $410.8 million
4. Qatar: $317.2 million
5. Israel: $215.6 million
6. Kuwait: $166.8 million
7. Iran: $159.1 million
8. Jordan: $151.2 million
9. Lebanon: $92.7 million
10. Bahrain: $39.7 million
North American Importers
North America imported $15.3 billion worth of copper led by the following countries:
1. United States: $10.1 billion
2. Mexico: $3 billion
3. Canada: $2.2 billion
Oceanian Importers
Oceania imported $907.4 million worth of copper led by the following countries:
1. Australia: $778.3 million
2. New Zealand: $111.8 million
3. Fiji: $7.1 million
4. Papua New Guinea: $2.9 million
5. Tuvalu: $2.7 million
6. New Caledonia: $1.8 million
7. French Polynesia: $1.1 million
8. Tonga: $378,000
9. Samoa: $349,000
10. Vanuatu: $292,000
To see the 25 fastest-growing copper importers from 2013 to 2017, use the slidebar on the accompanying list. Overall, the 5-year percentage decline for globally imported copper was -14%.
Data source: Trade Map, International Trade Centre, www.intracen.org/marketanalysis
Top Copper Importers 2017
Fastest-Growing Copper 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.
