Tellurium - Production, Reserves & Supply Concentration
A metalloid used in thin-film solar cells, alloys and thermoelectric materials.The main series covers refinery output. Sweden is shown separately as concentrate production, following the USGS classification.
Tellurium Global Production & Country Share
Measure: Refinery production (metric tons)
Tellurium Production by Country (2020-2025)
Refinery production · Unit: metric tons
| Rank | Country | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025e | Share | 5Y Chg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | China | 330 | 330 | 380 | 430 | 750 | 800 | 80.0% | +142.4% |
| #2 | Russia | 71 | 70 | 70 | 75 | 64 | 67 | 6.7% | -5.6% |
| #3 | Japan | 70 | 68 | 68 | 75 | 70 | 61 | 6.1% | -12.9% |
| #4 | Canada | 44 | 44 | 24 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 2.8% | -36.4% |
| #5 | Uzbekistan | - | 48 | 3 | 3 | 18 | 18 | 1.8% | - |
| #6 | South Africa | 2 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 0.5% | +150.0% |
| #7 | Bulgaria | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0.1% | -66.7% |
| - | World Total | 562 | 610 | 584 | 640 | 981 | 1,000 | 100.0% | +77.9% |
U.S. Supply, Consumption & Net Import Reliance (2021-2025)
| Salient Measure | Unit | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025e |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tellurium: Production, copper telluride | metric tons | W | W | W | W | W |
| Tellurium: Imports for consumption | metric tons | 42 | 37 | 8 | 6 | 14 |
| Tellurium: Exports | metric tons | 2 | 1 | 15 | 3 | 3 |
| Tellurium: Consumption, apparent | metric tons | W | W | W | W | W |
| Tellurium: U.S. Net Import Reliance | % of consumption | >95% | >75% | Net Exporter (E) | <25% | >25% |
Frequently Asked Questions - Tellurium
Which country leads tellurium production (refinery production)?
China leads the 2025 USGS country table for refinery production, with 800 metric tons (estimated) (80.0% of the reported world total). World output was 1,000 metric tons in 2025.
Which country leads tellurium production (refinery production: concentrate)?
Sweden leads the 2025 USGS country table for refinery production: concentrate, with 48 metric tons (estimated).
Does USGS publish a country reserve ranking for tellurium?
The USGS chapter describes the available reserve information. The main series covers refinery output. Sweden is shown separately as concentrate production, following the USGS classification.
What is US net import reliance and import sourcing for tellurium?
In 2025, US net import reliance was reported at >25% (Net import reliance as a percentage of apparent consumption). Across 2021-24, leading US import sources (All) were Canada (64%), Philippines (14%), Japan (8%).
How is tellurium classified on the US Critical Minerals List and what are its primary uses?
Status: Listed on 2025 US List (Retained from 2022 list). Primary applications cited in USGS summaries include: Cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin-film solar cells, thermoelectric cooling devices, free-machining steel/copper alloys, and infrared detectors. More than 90% of commercial tellurium is recovered from anode slimes generated during electrolytic refining of blister copper. USGS country series therefore track refinery output and refinery capacity.