Cobalt remains a critical ingredient in modern battery chemistry, and projections point to China playing a dominant role in global supply through 2025 and beyond. Analysts from Finance Times forecast that China’s share of world cobalt production could reach about 60 percent by 2025. This prediction reflects the country’s extensive mining capacity, integrated supply chains, and the importance placed on securing raw materials for high-tech manufacturing. Cobalt powers a wide range of electronic devices and plays a key role in extending the longevity and performance of rechargeable batteries, which underscores why demand for this metal remains high across consumer electronics, electric vehicles, and energy storage systems. Source: Finance Times.
Currently, China accounts for roughly 54 percent of global cobalt output, a figure that outstrips many market forecasts. Industry observers had anticipated a slower growth trajectory, expecting a 50 percent share to emerge within two years. The ongoing expansion highlights China’s aggressive development of mining, refining, and downstream processing capabilities that can convert ore into battery-ready materials with efficiency and scale. The latest data illustrate how national policy, investment in mining technology, and strategic partnerships across Asia and beyond shape the cobalt market. Source: Finance Times.
In the past year, CMOC, a Chinese mining and metals producer, surpassed Glencore to become the world’s leading cobalt producer. This shift occurred even as overall global metal production rose by roughly 17 percent year over year, marking a notable increase in mine output across suppliers. The consolidation at the top of cobalt mining reflects broader trends in the commodity sector where companies with integrated supply chains can better manage price volatility and meet rising demand. Source: Finance Times.
Simultaneously, China’s share of the global electronics market has shown signs of pressure from rising competition, notably from India. This competitive dynamics shape how suppliers allocate resources and target new markets. Despite stronger domestic output, Chinese firms have been expanding shipments to international markets, including the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, within a two-year window. These shifts illustrate a diversified export strategy intended to stabilize revenue streams amid fluctuating demand in different regions. Source: Finance Times.
The broader cobalt story also intersects with geopolitical and trade considerations. As major economies recalibrate supply chains away from single-country dependency, nations seek to secure reliable sources of critical minerals. The cobalt market remains sensitive to regulatory changes, environmental standards, and investment in sustainable mining practices. Industry participants emphasize the importance of transparent reporting, responsible sourcing, and collaboration with host communities to maintain social license to operate while meeting growing manufacturing needs. Source: Finance Times.
Looking ahead, market analysts stress that the cobalt supply chain will likely continue to evolve as technology, policy, and market demand interact. Battery manufacturers, automakers, and energy storage developers are watching for shifts in price, quality, and availability. For companies active in North America, this dynamic underscores the value of diversified sourcing, partnerships with established producers, and investments in refining and recycling technologies to reduce dependence on any single region. Source: Finance Times.
Overall, the cobalt landscape remains highly intertwined with global manufacturing trends, political economy considerations, and the push toward electrification. While China is expected to keep a leading role in production, the market’s evolution will be shaped by regulatory frameworks, investment cycles, and the ongoing pursuit of efficiency in extraction and processing. Stakeholders across the supply chain continue to monitor capacity expansion, trade policies, and the emergence of new players that could alter the balance of power in this essential metals market. Source: Finance Times.