Nuclear power plant

Uranium is a silvery-white metal that is radioactive with unique nuclear properties. Uranium’s major uses are as high-density penetrators in the military sector and as a fuel for nuclear power plants in the civilian sphere.

Worldwide exports of uranium were worth US$19.6 billion during 2024, expanding by 250.8% over the 5-year period starting from $5.6 billion in 2020.

Year over year, the value of exported uranium accelerated by 47.3% compared to $13.3 billion starting from 2023.

There are three major subcategories for exported uranium. The 6-digit Harmonized Tariff System code prefix is 284410 for natural uranium and its compounds. Code prefix 284420 represents enriched uranium, while 284430 is for depleted uranium.

Natural uranium exports by country totaled US$9.3 billion in 2024, up by an average 202% for all exporting countries since 2020. From 2023 to 2024, exported natural uranium appreciated by 63.3%.

The value of exported enriched uranium was $10.2 billion, spiking by 315.2% from the comparable amount for 2020 and accelerating by 35.5% year over year.

Exports for the third and smallest type, depleted uranium export sales amounted to $91.5 million. That dollar amount results from a 91.5% expansion from 2020 and a 21.3% advance from 2023 to 2024.

By value, the listed 15 countries shipped 99.9999% of globally exported natural uranium in 2024.

Among the above countries, the fastest-growing natural uranium exporters since 2023 were: France (up 9,842%), Switzerland (up 273%), United States of America (up 223.4%) and Ukraine (up 189.6%).

The Russian Federation was the lone top exporter to record a decline in its exported natural uranium sales, slowing by -28.9% year over year.

By value, the listed 15 countries shipped 100% of globally exported enriched uranium in 2024.

Among the above countries, the fastest-growing enriched uranium exporters since 2023 were: Spain (up 20,040%), United Kingdom (up 412.7%), Netherlands (up 95%) and France (up 66%).

Those countries that posted declines in their exported enriched uranium sales were: the United States of America (down -41% from 2023), Kazakhstan (down -34.8%) then Sweden (down -27.7%).

The listed 15 countries shipped 99.6% of globally exported depleted uranium in 2024 by value.

Among the above countries, the fastest-growing depleted uranium exporters since 2023 were: Portugal (up 41,725%), Canada (up 406.8%), Switzerland (up 186.8%) and Australia (up 175.5%).

Those countries that posted declines in their exported depleted uranium sales were led by: Malaysia (down -72.7% from 2023), France (down -60.3%), Greece (down -51.4%), Sweden (down -38.9%) and Spain (down -33.2%).

Suppliers in Asia collected the most revenue from natural uranium exported during 2024 with shipments valued at $4.54 billion or 48.8% of the global total. In second place were exporters located in North America at 45.9%.

Another 3.2% of natural uranium shipments came from Africa.

A tiny source for natural uranium exports was Europe (2% of the world’s total).

At 94.1%, European exporters were responsible for the bulk of the world’s exports of enriched uranium in 2024.

Suppliers in Asia (5.5%), and to a lesser extent, North America (0.4%) accounted for the remainder of enriched uranium sold on international markets.

Africa is the world’s number one exporter of depleted uranium via its 72.5% worldwide share.

North America is the second-leading source for depleted uranium exports, given its 13.9% portion of the global total.

Europe furnishes another 11.4% for exports of depleted uranium.

Much smaller exporters of depleted uranium are Oceania’s Australia (1.7%), Asia (0.5%), and Latin America (0.001%).

See also Gold Exports by Country, Silver Exports by Country, Platinum Exports by Country and US Uranium Imports by Supplying Country

Research Sources:
Central Intelligence Agency, The World Factbook Field Listing: Exports – Commodities. Accessed on June 12, 2025

Forbes Global 2000 rankings, The World’s Biggest Public Companies. Accessed on June 12, 2025

International Trade Centre, Trade Map. Accessed on June 12, 2025

Investopedia, Net Exports Definition. Accessed on June 12, 2025

Mining Feeds, Uranium Mining Companies Listed in All Countries. Accessed on June 12, 2025

Wikipedia, Uranium. Accessed on June 12, 2025