Global mercury production volume 2023, by country

China was by far the world's largest producer of mercury in 2023, with a mine production volume estimated at 1,000 metric tons. The second leading producer of mercury, Tajikistan, produced one-tenth as much mercury as China that year. The total global mercury production from mines amounted to an estimated 1,200 metric tons in 2023. Mercury is mainly used in the manufacturing of electrical and electronic goods, as well as for industrial chemicals.

Where is mercury produced?

Following China and Tajikistan, mercury production is increasingly less voluminous in the next largest producing countries. Peru's and Norway's production of mercury amounted to 30 metric tons and 20 metric tons, respectively, while Kyrgyzstan's and Morocco's production volumes were both in the single digits in 2023. Of the countries that produce mercury, the highest proportion of mercury production occurs in countries that are classified as politically unstable. Mercury production is also hazardous, as the vapor of mercury is extremely toxic and can causes a number of health issues, from affecting the kidneys to respiratory problems.

Mercury trade worldwide

Similar to production, Tajikistan ranks second in the global mercury exports by country. Despite not being a significant producer, the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) was the world's leading mercury exporting country as of 2022, with exports amounting to 10.35 million U.S. dollars. Indeed, the U.A.E. is the world's leading mercury trading hub, as it was also the world's largest mercury importing country that year, with imports amounting to 6.93 million U.S. dollars.