According to the International Molybdenum Association (IMOA), the global production of molybdenum fell to 128.8 million pounds in the Q1 2015, from 148.1 million pounds in the Q4 2014, and is 5% lower compared with the Q1 2014. Global use of molybdenum in Q1 2015 also fell slightly to 132.7 million pounds, down 3% from 136.2 million pounds in the Q4 2014 and 5% lower than the Q1 2014.
China remained the biggest producer, although production fell from 55.8 million pounds in the Q4 2014 to 46.3 million pounds in the Q1 2015.
Production in North America fell, from 42.7 million pounds in the Q4 2014 to 37.8 million pounds in the Q1 2015. Production in South America fell, from 39.9 million pounds in the Q4 2014 to 34.2 million pounds in the Q1 2015.
China remained the biggest user, with 47.8 million pounds in the Q1 2015 and Europe was the second largest user with 34.4 million pounds, but 8% down compared to the Q1 2014.
Usage in the USA fell by 7% to 14.1 million pounds compared to Q4 2014, while in Japan was 13.3 million pounds in Q1 2015, CIS countries by 3% and other countries by 1%.
