Global usage of molybdenum rises while production remains static

Global production of molybdenum was at 168.4 million pounds (mlbs) in Q1, 2026, the same as the previous quarter, and a 2% rise when compared to the same quarter of the 2025, according to figures released by the International Molybdenum Association (IMOA).

 Global usage rises by 9% in Q1 2026 to 180.7mlbs 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 78.5mlbs – an 8% rise when compared to the previous quarter and a 5% rise when compared to the same quarter of 2025. 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 33.6mlbs compared to the previous quarter, but saw a 3% rise compared to Q1, 2025.

China remained the largest user of molybdenum at 91.1mlbs, up 10% from the previous quarter and 7% from Q1, 2025. Europe, the second largest user of molybdenum, saw a 3% rise to 29.7mlbs compared to the previous quarter, which was a 4% rise on the previous year. The USA saw the largest rise in use, 20%, to 19.5mlbs, although this represented a 10% rise compared to Q1 last year. Use in Japan rose 15% to 11.5mlbs, from the previous quarter, but down 1% from Q1, 2025. CIS was the only region to see a fall in use, 11%, to 3.9mlbs compared to the previous quarter,  which represented a 13% fall on Q1 last year.