China remains the world's dominant titanium producer - and the 2025 customs data shows where the flows are moving.
Titanium Ore: More In, More Out
| Metric | 2025 | Change vs. 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Imports | 5.19 million tons | +2.73% (+137,800 tons) |
| Exports | 112,900 tons | +28.82% (+25,300 tons) |
Top import sources (December): Mozambique (64%), Australia (9%), Nigeria (9%)
Top export destinations (December): India (26%), Korea (15%), Kazakhstan (15%)
China's titanium ore imports remain heavily concentrated from African sources, while exports are growing fast - driven by demand from neighboring Asian industrial economies.
Titanium Dioxide (TiO₂): Domestic Demand Softens
| Metric | 2025 | Change vs. 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Imports | 74,500 tons | -18.92% (-17,400 tons) |
| Exports | 1.82 million tons | -4.46% (-84,800 tons) |
Both import and export volumes declined - reflecting weaker downstream demand in coatings and plastics, compounded by the ongoing real estate downturn affecting domestic consumption.
Sponge Titanium: Exports Growing
| Metric | 2025 | Change vs. 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Imports | 0.525 tons | Negligible |
| Exports | 6,567.93 tons | +9.59% (+574.80 tons) |
Top export destinations (December): Japan (29%), Korea (23%), India (18%)
China's sponge titanium imports are virtually zero - confirming near-complete domestic self-sufficiency. Meanwhile, exports continue to grow, with Japan, Korea, and India as the primary buyers. These three countries represent major downstream titanium processing industries that depend on Chinese sponge feedstock.
What This Means
| Trend | Implication |
|---|---|
| China imports almost no sponge titanium | Domestic production fully meets demand - and exports surplus |
| Ore imports still growing | Upstream raw material dependence on Mozambique and Australia continues |
| TiO₂ exports declining | Global coatings/paint demand softening; domestic market weak |
| Sponge titanium exports rising | Asian titanium processors (Japan, Korea, India) increasingly rely on Chinese supply |
The data reinforces China's position as the center of global titanium supply - from raw ore processing through sponge production to downstream material manufacturing.
We Are Part of This Supply Chain
Baoji Yibaite New Materials Technology Co., Ltd. is a high-tech titanium processing company in Baoji, Shaanxi Province - China's Titanium Valley - the hub where Chinese sponge titanium is transformed into finished mill products for global markets.
We supply:
- Titanium bars and rods
- Titanium plates and sheets
- Titanium wires
- Titanium tubes and strips
- Forgings and high-precision products
Grades: Gr1, Gr2, Gr5 (Ti-6Al-4V), TC4, TA15, and custom specifications. Full mill test certificates with every order.
Baoji Yibaite New Materials Technology Co., Ltd. China's Titanium Valley - Your Trusted Titanium Partner.