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International trade is the backbone of the global economy, facilitating the exchange of goods, services, and ideas across borders. It fosters economic growth, enhances productivity, and drives innovation. This collection of thematic insights delves into key aspects of international trade, offering a deeper understanding of its diverse components.

Regional patterns in critical minerals trade remained broadly unchanged in 2024

Trade of critical minerals by region, in billions of dollars

UN Trade and Development, UNCTADstat.

Data cover 60 critical minerals classified by UNCTAD and mapped to Harmonized System (HS) commodity codes.

See metadata.

Global exports of critical minerals reached approximately $2.25 trillion in 2024, broadly stable compared with 2023. Asia accounted for the largest share of global exports ($757 billion), followed by Europe ($667 billion) and the Americas ($450 billion). Africa exported $176 billion worth of critical minerals, while Oceania accounted for $203 billion. Export values in all regions remained above their 2020 levels despite the moderation from the peak observed in 2022.

Asia remained the dominant destination for critical minerals trade in 2024. The region imported nearly $1.37 trillion, accounting for almost 58% of global imports. Europe was the second largest importing region, with imports of $659 billion, followed by the Americas ($270 billion). Global imports declined from the peak reached in 2022 and remained broadly stable between 2023 and 2024. Import values in 2024 remained above their 2020 levels in all regions, with the largest absolute increase recorded in Asia.

Data updated on 14 Juil 2026

Metadonnées

Given the absence of an internationally agreed classification of critical minerals, the data are based on a UNCTAD classification developed for analytical purposes. The classification was established through a review and consolidation of critical mineral lists published by national governments and international organizations to reflect the priorities of both developed and developing economies. It identifies 60 critical minerals and maps them to Harmonized System (HS) commodity codes representing minerals, ores, concentrates, metals and related products associated with these minerals. The classification supports the analysis of trade patterns related to industrialization, sustainable development, digital transformation and the energy transition.

Correspondence tables linking HS commodity codes and descriptions to critical mineral product groups, including concordances across HS versions, are available on the Data Hub Classifications page.

Full metadata are available in our Data Centre for Critical minerals: Bilateral trade by product group - Annual (analytical).

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