Metal and Mineral Wholesaling in Australia - Market Research Report (2013-2028)
Melbourne, Australia
Last Updated: October 2023
ANZSIC F3322Revenue
$33.6bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
$XXX.Xm
Employees
13,901
Businesses
1,548
Wages
$X.Xbn
Metal and Mineral Wholesaling in Australia industry analysis
The Metal and Mineral Wholesaling industry faced mixed trading conditions in the past few years, as higher prices presented an opportunity for higher turnover, but it also weighed on industry-wide profit margins. During the COVID-19 pandemic, constraints to the global supply chain sent commodity prices soaring in 2020-21 and 2021-22. This trend benefited wholesalers that serviced foreign buyers, as both prices and demand surged, allowing a sharp uptick in industry-wide revenue. Industry revenue is expected to increase at an annualised 2.3% over the five years through 2023-24, to $33.6 billion. However, revenue is anticipated to decrease by 4.0% in 2023-24, as prices tumble downward and demand from China eases. Wholesale bypass has also hindered the industry's performance, as more miners and manufacturers have dealt directly with their customers, cutting many wholesalers out of the supply chain. This trend has caused a consistent decline in industry enterprise and establishment numbers over the past decade.
Trends and Insights
- Volatile prices created a mixed dynamic for wholesalers in this industry. High commodity prices led to a jump in industry revenue, but given the tight margins many wholesalers run on, a jump in purchase costs weighed on profitability.
- A sharp rise in the prices of critical minerals, like copper and nickel, has allowed wholesalers to boost revenue. The prices of materials that are crucial for the energy transition have proven more resilient than traditional metals like steel.
- Wholesalers tend to cluster in major cities because it gives them access to downstream customers and cost savings through established transport infrastructure. Proximity to major international ports is also a factor in drawing wholesalers to large cities.
- Competition is high in this industry because of the homogenous nature of the industry’s products. It is relatively easy for downstream buyers and upstream suppliers to switch between wholesalers. This trend makes price competition intense.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2013-2028)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 2.3 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $33.6bn in 2023.
Trends and Insights
Fluctuating prices on the global market have dictated recent industry-wide performance
- Foreign buyers of minerals and metals are the most important downstream market in this industry. This leaves the industry highly reliant on global commodity prices.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to decline over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Price fluctuations will ease over the coming years, giving wholesalers a more sustainable environment
- Global economic conditions are forecast to improve over the coming years. The negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are anticipated to dissipate over time, spurring improved downstream demand and a more stable pricing environment.
Biggest companies in the Metal and Mineral Wholesaling in Australia
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue ($m)
2024 |
|---|---|---|
Glencore | 4,420.0 | |
Mitsui-Itochu Iron | 1,410.7 | |
CITIC Resources Australia | 503.8 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 3 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Alumina and aluminium, Iron ore and Coal. Alumina and aluminium is the largest segment of the Metal and Mineral Wholesaling in Australia.
Trends and Insights
Alumina and aluminium prices have remained resilient despite global volatility during the pandemic
- This segment includes aluminium as an ingot metal, and bauxite and alumina, which can be processed into aluminium products.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- There are no industries to display.
Complementors
- Mining
- Aluminium Smelting in Australia
- Copper, Silver, Lead and Zinc Smelting and Refining in Australia
- Petroleum Product Wholesaling in Australia
International industries
- Metal Wholesaling in the US
- Coal & Ore Wholesaling in the US
- Recyclable Material Wholesaling in the US
- Metal Wholesaling in Canada
- Recyclable Material Wholesaling in Canada
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Industry firms wholesale mineral and metal commodities. Industry firms also wholesale steel products, including pig iron, ingot steel and semi-fabricated products. These products can take the form of sheets, strips, bars, rods, sections, structural steel or tubes. Industry firms may also wholesale metal waste or scrap.
What's included in this industry?
Aluminium and aluminium alloy wholesalingCopper and copper alloy wholesalingCoal and coke wholesalingIron and steel wholesalingMetallic ores wholesalingMetal scrap wholesalingMineral wholesalingNon-ferrous metal wholesalingPrecious metal scrap dealing and wholesalingSteel bar, plate, rod and sheet wholesalingCompanies
GlencoreMitsui-Itochu IronCITIC Resources AustraliaPurchase this report to view all 3 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
RADIO-FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATIONOREFERROUSNON-FERROUS METALWHOLESALE BYPASSIndustry Code
ANZSIC 3322 - Metal and Mineral Wholesaling in Australia
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Volatile prices created a mixed dynamic for wholesalers in this industry. High commodity prices led to a jump in industry revenue, but given the tight margins many wholesaler...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Employees, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Businesses, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Profit, including historical (2013-2023)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
A sharp rise in the prices of critical minerals, like copper and nickel, has allowed wholesalers to boost revenue. The prices of materials that are crucial for the energy tra...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2023
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2023
- Major market segmentation in 2023
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Wholesalers tend to cluster in major cities because it gives them access to downstream customers and cost savings through established transport infrastructure. Proximity to m...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2023
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2023
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2023
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2023
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2023
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Asia Pacific, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Competition is high in this industry because of the homogenous nature of the industry’s products. It is relatively easy for downstream buyers and upstream suppliers to switch...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2018-2023
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Glencore holds an influential position in the supply chain of several crucial materials mined in Australia. This allowed Glencore to ramp up production and sale of various co...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2019 through 2023
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2023
- Overview of Glencore's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
- Overview of Mitsui-Itochu Iron's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
- Overview of CITIC Resources Australia's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Glencore, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Mitsui-Itochu Iron, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for CITIC Resources Australia, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
The price of coal is on its way down, which will erode the performance of wholesalers that specialise in wholesaling fossil fuels. Wholesalers of metals that are important fo...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2013-2028)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2013-2028)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Price competition and very high purchase costs make it difficult for wholesalers to run up large profit margins. The transparency of pricing also limits the scope of wholesal...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2013-2028)
- Revenue per Employee (2013-2028)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- Employees per Establishment (2013-2028)
- Employees per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- Average Wage (2013-2028)
- Wages/Revenue (2013-2028)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- IVA/Revenue (2013-2028)
- Imports/Demand (2013-2028)
- Exports/Revenue (2013-2028)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2013-2028)
- IVA (2013-2028)
- Establishments (2013-2028)
- Enterprises (2013-2028)
- Employment (2013-2028)
- Exports (2013-2028)
- Imports (2013-2028)
- Wages (2013-2028)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in Australia include:
- Australian Bureau of Statistics
- Australian Taxation Office
- Australian Securities & Investments Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Metal and Mineral Wholesaling industry in Australia in 2024?
The market size of the Metal and Mineral Wholesaling industry in Australia is $33.6bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Metal and Mineral Wholesaling in Australia industry in 2023?
There are 1,548 businesses in the Metal and Mineral Wholesaling industry in Australia, which has declined at a CAGR of 0.9 % between 2018 and 2023.
Has the Metal and Mineral Wholesaling industry in Australia grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Metal and Mineral Wholesaling industry in Australia has been growing at a CAGR of 2.3 % between 2018 and 2023.
What is the forecast growth of the Metal and Mineral Wholesaling industry in Australia over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Metal and Mineral Wholesaling industry in Australia is expected to decline.
What are the biggest companies in the Metal and Mineral Wholesaling market in Australia?
The biggest companies operating in the Metal and Mineral Wholesaling market in Australia are Glencore, Mitsui-Itochu Iron and CITIC Resources Australia
What does the Metal and Mineral Wholesaling in Australia include?
Aluminium and aluminium alloy wholesaling and Copper and copper alloy wholesaling are part of the Metal and Mineral Wholesaling industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Metal and Mineral Wholesaling in Australia?
The company holding the most market share in Australia is Glencore.
How competitive is the Metal and Mineral Wholesaling industry in Australia?
The level of competition is high and steady in the Metal and Mineral Wholesaling industry in Australia.
