The IMOA (International Molybdenum Association) has released figures for Q1 2023 showing that global production of molybdenum fell by 3% to 146.8 million pounds (mlbs) and global usage of molybdenum fell by 8% to 144mlbs.
China remained the largest producer of molybdenum at 67.2mlbs – a 3% rise when compared to the previous quarter. South America remained the second largest producer at 41.2mlbs – a 7% fall when compared to the previous quarter. Production in North America fell to 27mlbs – an 11% fall when compared to the previous quarter. Production in Other regions saw a 3% fall to 11.4mlbs when compared to the previous quarter.
China remained the largest user of molybdenum at 56.1mlbs but saw the largest fall, 19%, when compared to the previous quarter. Europe remained the second largest user at 33.2mlbs – a 5% rise when compared to the previous. Use in Other regions fell 5% to 21.1mlbs when compared to the previous quarter. The USA saw a 1% rise in usage to 15.7mlbs. Japan also saw a rise in usage, 2%, to 12.9mlbs when compared to the previous quarter.