Chromium in 2025, measured as chromite ore, was mined at an estimated 51 million metric tons worldwide, up from 49.6 million in 2024, according to the U.S. Geological Survey’s Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026. South Africa mined the most. The United States mines no chromite and relies on imports for an estimated 79% of its use. This article summarizes the USGS chromium chapter, explains the main numbers and flags what the chapter does not say.
Who mines chromite?
The USGS lists estimated 2025 mine production, in thousand metric tons of marketable chromite ore:
- South Africa: 23,000
- Turkey: 9,000
- Kazakhstan: 7,000
- India: 3,000
- Brazil: 2,000
- Zimbabwe: 2,000
- Finland: 1,900
- Other countries: 3,000
By our own arithmetic, South Africa mines about 45% of the world total, and South Africa, Turkey and Kazakhstan together about 76%. The chapter says global chromite ore production rose an estimated 3% in 2025. Brazil rose from an estimated 1,400 to 2,000, and Kazakhstan from an estimated 6,100 to 7,000.
How much chromite is left?
The USGS puts world reserves above 1.2 billion tons of ore, containing more than 540 million tons of chromic oxide. Measured by chromic oxide content, South Africa holds 110,000 thousand tons, Kazakhstan 100,000, Zimbabwe 78,000, India 27,000 and Finland 16,000. World resources exceed 12 billion tons of shipping-grade chromite, and about 95% are in Kazakhstan and southern Africa. The Kazakh ore reserve line was garbled in the copy we read, so we use only the chromic oxide column.
What is chromium used for?
The chapter says stainless steel and heat-resisting steel producers are the leading consumers of ferrochromium, an alloy of iron and chromium. It gives no percentage shares. Our reports on manganese in 2025 and nickel in 2025 cover the other main stainless steel inputs.
How dependent is the United States on imports?
Net import reliance was an estimated 79% in 2025, against 77% in 2024 and 76% in 2021. Imports were about 520 thousand tons of chromium content, against 492, and exports were 140. Recycling matters: the USGS says recycled chromium from reported stainless steel scrap was 21% of apparent consumption in 2025. Secondary production was about 100 thousand tons, down from 147 in 2021. The United States consumed an estimated 4% of world chromite production in imported forms.
Where do imports come from?
For 2021 to 2024, total imports came from South Africa (31%), Kazakhstan (11%), Finland (6%) and Canada (5%), with other countries at 47%. South Africa supplied 96% of chromite ore imports. Ferrochromium came from South Africa (41%), Kazakhstan (24%), Russia (6%) and Finland (5%). Chromium metal came from China (40%), the United Kingdom (26%), Russia (15%) and France (14%). Stainless steel came from Taiwan (16%), Finland (12%) and India (11%). Each product has its own supplier mix.
How did prices and value move?
Chromite ore averaged $290 per ton in 2025, against $331 in 2024 and $321 in 2023, about 12% lower than 2024 by our own arithmetic. Ferrochromium averaged $1.60 per pound of chromium, against $1.76. Chromium metal moved the other way, rising from $5.30 to $5.90 per pound. The value of chromium materials consumed was $720 million, down 15% from $852 million in 2024.
What challenges does the chapter describe?
In South Africa, the USGS lists shifting market demands, notably in China, deep-level mining, labor costs and unreliable electricity supply. New mines and expansions may raise output in Brazil, Kazakhstan and Zimbabwe. China is the leading producer of ferrochromium and stainless steel and the leading consumer of chromium, and the chapter says oversupply and weaker demand there may have lowered ferrochromium prices. It adds that possible export controls and tariffs on South African chromite ore could affect Chinese ferrochromium production, as a possibility and not a finding.
How does U.S. demand compare over time?
Apparent consumption was 612 thousand tons in 2021, 591 in 2022, 399 in 2023, 442 in 2024 and an estimated 480 in 2025. Reported consumption fell from 389 to 360. The 2023 drop of about 32% from 2022, by our arithmetic, shows how quickly import-dependent demand can move. Consumer stocks were only 5 to 6 thousand tons in every year.
How have imports and exports moved?
Imports of chromium were 571 thousand tons in 2021, 610 in 2022, 451 in 2023, 492 in 2024 and an estimated 520 in 2025. Exports were 114, 162, 178, 148 and 140. By our own arithmetic, net imports in 2025, at about 380 thousand tons, were about 17% below 2021. Imports dipped sharply in 2023 and have only partly recovered, which fits the fall in apparent consumption in the same year.
How to read the numbers
Mine output is gross weight of marketable ore, while U.S. trade figures are chromium content. Those bases differ, so ore tons and chromium tons should not be compared directly. Estimates for 2025 are first reads that the USGS may revise.
How does chromium connect to other coverage?
Chromium sits in the same steel supply chains as other metals. See our reports on iron ore in 2025, vanadium in 2025 and the USGS summary of U.S. mineral production.
What should readers watch for next?
Readers can watch South African power supply, Chinese stainless steel demand and the next USGS edition, which replaces estimates with reported data.
Glossary
- Chromite: the only commercial chromium ore
- Ferrochromium: an iron and chromium alloy used in stainless steel
- Stainless steel: steel alloyed with chromium so it resists rust
- Net import reliance: imports minus exports, as a share of apparent consumption
- Reserves: resources that can be mined economically today
These definitions are general explanations and are not quoted from the USGS.
What is not covered here?
We omit the Kazakh ore reserve line, the stockpile table and any price forecast.
Key facts at a glance
- World chromite output, 2025: about 51 million tons
- South Africa: 23 million tons, about 45%
- U.S. net import reliance: 79%
- Recycled chromium: 21% of U.S. use
- World resources: above 12 billion tons
Frequently asked questions
Which country mines the most chromite?
South Africa, at an estimated 23 million tons in 2025.
What is chromium used for?
Mainly to make stainless and heat-resisting steel.
Does the United States mine chromite?
No. The USGS shows no mine output, only recycling and imports.
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