Ores and metals imports in North America

North America: Ores and metals imports was 2.3% in 2024. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2024)
2.3%
Change on year
down 7.1%
All-time high
11.3%
in 1962
All-time low
1.8%
in 2003
Years of data
62
1962–2024

Ores and metals imports in North America, 1962–2024

24681012196219932024

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.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest 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

More energy & mining data for North America

All data for North America →

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.
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.

Download this data

CSV · JSON — 62 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data).

About this data

Indicator
Ores and metals imports (% of merchandise imports)
Unit
% of merchandise imports
Source
Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
243 places, 9,983 data points, 1962–2025
Last refreshed

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.