Mercury market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2024, the mercury market in Eastern Asia contracted significantly, with market volume falling from 2 267 t in 2018 to 949 t in 2022. This decline was primarily driven by the Minamata Convention on Mercury, which entered into force in 2017 and imposed strict limits on mercury production, use, and trade across signatory countries, including China as the region's major producer.

The convention prompted tighter regulation of mercury emissions in key industries such as coal-fired power generation and non-ferrous metal smelting, along with a phase-out of mercury-containing products like batteries, thermometers, and fluorescent lamps. These measures reduced overall mercury demand and production, reflected in the drop in output from 2 317 t in 2018 to 1 000 t in 2022.

Parallel to the phase-down, stricter emission controls spurred growth in related segments such as industrial mercury gas analyzers and portable mercury analyzers, driven by the need for enhanced monitoring. In 2024, structural adjustments in production occurred, including the resumption of mercury output at one facility and the halt at another, indicating the industry's ongoing adaptation to regulatory pressures.

Production mercury in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of mercury, 2017-2020

World map of production of mercury, 2017-2020

Mercury production in Eastern Asia has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 1,993 tonnes of mercury, marking a significant drop of 10.7% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 44.2%, which translates to an average annual decline of 17.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports mercury from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, kg

After two years of decline, mercury exports from Eastern Asia to foreign markets have increased. In 2020, exports totaled 36,182 kilograms, showing a modest rise of 3.4% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 49.5%, with an average annual rate of decline of 20.3%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 34,991 kilograms, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 32.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for mercury exports in kind were India, Brazil, and South Africa, accounting for 35.1%, 29.6%, and 13.6% of exports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 78.4% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year decline, cross-border mercury shipments from Eastern Asia have risen. In 2020, the region exported mercury worth 1,658 thousand US dollars, an increase of 3.4% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 23.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -8.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1,603 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 20.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Brazil, India, and South Africa were the primary destinations for mercury exports in value terms, contributing 33.4%, 28.4%, and 19.3% of total exports, respectively. Combined, these three countries accounted for 81.1% of total export value, solidifying their position as key markets for Eastern Asia's mercury.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020

Imports mercury to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, kg

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 1,132 kilograms and peaked in 2017, with a 60-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Eastern Asia imported 3,505 kilograms of mercury, representing a sharp increase of 209.7% year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 with a drop of 98.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, imports in kind were heavily concentrated, with Indonesia absorbing 95.1% of total flows, indicating a strong dependence on this single source.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Mercury imports into Eastern Asia have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 71 thousand US dollars, a decrease of 3.9% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 86.2%, with an average annual decline of 48.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Indonesia, the United States, and the United Kingdom were the largest contributors to imports in value terms, accounting for 46.6%, 14.1%, and 12.7% of total imports, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 73.3% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020