Global usage of molybdenum rises while production remains static

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01/07/2026

Global production of molybdenum was at 168.4 million pounds (mlbs) in Q1, 2026, the same as the previous quarter, a 2% rise when compared to the same quarter of the previous year, figures released by the International Molybdenum Association (IMOA) show.

Global usage rises by 9% in Q1 2026 to 180.7 mlbs when compared to Q4, 2025, a 5% increase compared to the same quarter of the previous year.

China remained the largest producer of molybdenum at 78.5 mlbs - an 8% rise when compared to the previous quarter and a 5% rise when compared to the same quarter of the previous year. South America, the second-largest producer, saw the largest fall in production, 9%, compared to the previous quarter, but fell 3% compared to the same quarter of the previous year. North America also saw a fall in production, 6%, to 33.6 mlbs compared to the previous quarter, but saw a 3% rise compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Production in Other Regions rose 1% to 14.9 mlbs compared to the previous quarter but fell 2% from the same quarter of the previous year.

China remained the largest user of molybdenum at 91.1 mlbs, up 10% from the previous quarter and 7% from the same quarter of the previous year. Europe, the second largest user of molybdenum, saw a 3% rise to 29.7 mlbs compared to the previous quarter, which was a 4% rise compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Other Regions saw use rise by 4% to 24.9 mlbs - a 6% increase compared to the same quarter of the previous year. The USA saw the largest rise in use, 20%, to 19.5 mlbs, although this represented a 10% rise compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Use in Japan rose 15% to 11.5 mlbs, from the previous quarter, but down 1% from the same quarter of the previous year. CIS was the only region to see a fall in use, 11%, to 3.9 mlbs compared to the previous quarter, which represented a 13% fall when compared to the same quarter of the previous year.

General information for media

• IMOA's Annual Review offers more information on IMOA's work and achievements
• IMOA is a non profit trade association, representing the majority of the molybdenum industry worldwide. It works to raise awareness about the unique properties of molybdenum, its beneficial effects on materials performance, its safety in use and its contribution to sustainable development.
• Molybdenum is added to alloy steels to improve strength, toughness, hardenability and weldability for numerous applications in the automotive, shipbuilding, construction, mining, chemical, oil & gas and energy generation industries. In stainless steels and superalloys, it improves corrosion resistance and high-temperature performance and finds uses in many industrial applications. It is also used in a variety of products from catalysts and lubricants to pigments and paint.
• IMOA has a strict antitrust compliance policy which delegates of all meetings are required to observe. All such meetings are observed by legal counsel.
• For more information please email the communications team at [email protected].
• For up-to-date information please follow IMOA on LinkedIn.

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