Ores and metals imports in North America
North America: Ores and metals imports was 2.3% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Ores and metals imports in North America, 1962–2024
Source: Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division. Measured in % of merchandise imports.
Analysis
The most recent figure for ores and metals imports in North America is 2.3%, measured in 2024.
The figure is down 7.1% on the previous year and up 0.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, ores and metals imports in North America peaked at 11.3% in 1962 and was at its lowest, 1.8%, in 2003.
That places North America 34th out of 47 groups with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Ores and metals imports in North America, year by year
| Year | % of merchandise imports | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1962 | 11.3% | — |
| 1963 | 10.4% | -8.0% |
| 1964 | 10.2% | -2.6% |
| 1965 | 10.3% | +1.6% |
| 1966 | 10.2% | -1.0% |
| 1967 | 9.5% | -7.4% |
| 1968 | 8.8% | -6.8% |
| 1969 | 7.2% | -17.9% |
| 1970 | 7.1% | -1.9% |
| 1971 | 5.9% | -17.3% |
| 1972 | 5.4% | -7.5% |
| 1973 | 5.5% | +1.9% |
| 1974 | 5.7% | +3.7% |
| 1975 | 4.8% | -16.0% |
| 1976 | 4.7% | -1.9% |
| 1977 | 4.2% | -10.9% |
| 1978 | 4.3% | +3.0% |
| 1979 | 4.5% | +3.0% |
| 1980 | 4.7% | +5.8% |
| 1981 | 4.2% | -12.1% |
| 1982 | 3.4% | -19.1% |
| 1983 | 3.8% | +12.5% |
| 1984 | 3.4% | -10.3% |
| 1985 | 2.8% | -17.4% |
| 1986 | 2.8% | +1.3% |
| 1987 | 2.6% | -8.1% |
| 1989 | 3.4% | +29.3% |
| 1990 | 3.0% | -10.0% |
| 1991 | 2.7% | -11.0% |
| 1992 | 2.5% | -8.1% |
| 1993 | 2.3% | -7.0% |
| 1994 | 2.5% | +7.7% |
| 1995 | 2.8% | +10.9% |
| 1996 | 2.5% | -9.4% |
| 1997 | 2.5% | -1.4% |
| 1998 | 2.4% | -2.3% |
| 1999 | 2.2% | -8.1% |
| 2000 | 2.3% | +2.3% |
| 2001 | 2.2% | -3.9% |
| 2002 | 1.9% | -11.9% |
| 2003 | 1.8% | -5.8% |
| 2004 | 2.1% | +17.9% |
| 2005 | 2.3% | +6.5% |
| 2006 | 2.8% | +25.1% |
| 2007 | 2.9% | +1.7% |
| 2008 | 2.7% | -6.8% |
| 2009 | 2.1% | -22.0% |
| 2010 | 2.4% | +15.2% |
| 2011 | 2.7% | +12.8% |
| 2012 | 2.4% | -13.9% |
| 2013 | 2.2% | -4.4% |
| 2014 | 2.2% | +0.0% |
| 2015 | 2.1% | -6.3% |
| 2016 | 2.0% | -3.2% |
| 2017 | 2.4% | +15.3% |
| 2018 | 2.4% | +1.5% |
| 2019 | 2.3% | -4.8% |
| 2020 | 2.5% | +10.4% |
| 2021 | 3.1% | +22.3% |
| 2022 | 2.8% | -8.4% |
| 2023 | 2.4% | -13.3% |
| 2024 | 2.3% | -7.1% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 9.7% | 7.2% | 11.3% | 8 |
| 1970s | 5.2% | 4.2% | 7.1% | 10 |
| 1980s | 3.5% | 2.6% | 4.7% | 9 |
| 1990s | 2.5% | 2.2% | 3.0% | 10 |
| 2000s | 2.3% | 1.8% | 2.9% | 10 |
| 2010s | 2.3% | 2.0% | 2.7% | 10 |
| 2020s | 2.6% | 2.3% | 3.1% | 5 |
Countries ranked near North America
More energy & mining data for North America
- Fuel imports 7.3% (2024)
- Ores and metals exports 3.8% (2024)
- Fuel exports 20.3% (2024)
- Electric power transmission and distribution losses 5.2% (2024)
- Mineral rents 0.2% (2021)
- Natural gas rents 0.4% (2021)
- Total natural resources rents 1.6% (2021)
- Alternative and nuclear energy 14.9% (2024)
- Electric power consumption 12,975 kWh per capita (2024)
- Combustible renewables and waste 5.2% (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is ores and metals imports in North America?
- Ores and metals imports in North America was 2.3% in 2024, according to Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division.
- What is the highest ores and metals imports recorded in North America?
- The highest recorded value was 11.3% in 1962.
- What is the lowest ores and metals imports recorded in North America?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.8% in 2003.
- How does North America rank for ores and metals imports?
- North America ranks 34th out of 47 groups with data for 2024.
- Is ores and metals imports rising or falling in North America?
- Over the last ten years it is up 0.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this North America data come from?
- The figures come from Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division, published as part of Ores and metals imports (% of merchandise imports). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Ores and metals comprise the commodities in SITC (Rev. 3) sections 27 (crude fertilizer, minerals nes); 28 (metalliferous ores, scrap); and 68 (non-ferrous metals). Imports of services are services provided by non-residents to residents. This indicator is expressed as a percentage of merchandise imports which is comprised of goods whose economic ownership is changed between a non-resident and a resident and that are not included in the following specific categories: goods under merchanting, non-monetary gold, and parts of travel, construction, and government goods and services n.i.e.