Global production of molybdenum increased to 137.3 million pounds in the second quarter of 2018, up 1% from 136.6 million pounds in the previous quarter, figures released today by the International Molybdenum Association (IMOA) show. Global use of molybdenum also increased to 149.6 million pounds in the second quarter, up 6% from 141.5 million pounds in the previous quarter.
China was the biggest producer, with 50 million pounds in the second quarter of 2018, up 7% from 46.6 million pounds in the previous quarter, but 3% less than in the same period in 2017. Production in South America came second with 45.9 million pounds, down 4% from 48 million pounds in the previous quarter, and down 14% compared to the same period in 2017. Production in North America was 31.8 million pounds, down 1% from 32.2 million pounds in the previous quarter, but 3% higher than in the same quarter in 2017. Production in other countries decreased slightly to 9.6 million pounds.
China remained the biggest user, at 54 million pounds in the second quarter of 2018, up 13% from 48 million pounds in the previous quarter, and 18% higher than the same period in 2017. Europe was the second largest user at 37.2 million pounds, up 2% from 36.7 million pounds in the previous quarter, and up 1% compared to the same period in 2017.
Usage in the USA was 15.4 million pounds, an increase of 4% from 14.8 million pounds in the previous quarter, and 6% higher compared to the same quarter in 2017, while usage in Japan increased by 4% to 15.4 million pounds, an increase of 20% compared with the same period last year. Usage in the CIS countries increased to 5.4 million pounds, while usage in other countries remained static at 22.1 million pounds.
