Global brass demand is projected at 3.5 million metric tons in 2022, but the more revealing story is where it actually went and who processed it. Automotive alone used 850,000 tonnes of brass in 2023, while the global workforce behind the metal totals 1.2 million direct workers in 2022, with recycling reaching 65% in 2023. The dataset also shows sharp regional contrasts, from China’s 2.1 million tonnes of brass demand in 2023 to Europe’s 950,000 tonnes in 2022, hinting at how supply, policy, and end use keep reshaping the industry.
Key Takeaways
- Global brass demand reached 3.5 million metric tons in 2022
- Automotive sector consumed 850,000 tonnes of brass globally in 2023
- Plumbing and waterworks used 1.2 million tonnes of brass in 2022 worldwide
- The global brass market size was valued at USD 14.5 billion in 2022
- North America brass market revenue reached USD 2.8 billion in 2023, growing at 4.1% CAGR
- Asia-Pacific brass market share was 52% of global value in 2022 at USD 7.6 billion
- Global brass production volume reached 3.2 million metric tons in 2022, marking a 4.5% increase from 2021
- China's brass ingot production totaled 1.85 million tonnes in 2023, accounting for 58% of global output
- India produced 450,000 metric tons of brass products in FY2022-23, up 7% year-over-year
- Global brass imports totaled 1.8 million metric tons in 2022, valued at USD 12.3 billion
- China exported 650,000 tonnes of brass products in 2023 worth USD 4.2 billion
- US brass imports were 900,000 short tons in 2022, USD 6.1 billion
- Global brass industry employed 1.2 million direct workers in 2022
- India brass sector workforce totaled 800,000 in FY2023, 60% artisans
- China brass manufacturing employed 450,000 workers in 2023
In 2022 global brass demand hit 3.5 million tonnes while the market grew across autos, plumbing, and electronics.
Related reading
01 · Category
Demand and Consumption25 stats
01
Global brass demand reached 3.5 million metric tons in 2022
02
Automotive sector consumed 850,000 tonnes of brass globally in 2023
03
Plumbing and waterworks used 1.2 million tonnes of brass in 2022 worldwide
04
Electrical components demand for brass was 650,000 tonnes in 2023
05
Construction industry brass consumption hit 750,000 tonnes globally in 2022
06
Consumer goods sector used 420,000 tonnes of brass in 2023
07
Machinery and equipment demand 580,000 tonnes brass in 2022
08
US brass consumption totaled 1.4 million short tons in 2023
09
China's brass demand grew to 2.1 million tonnes in 2023
10
India's brass consumption reached 520,000 tonnes in FY2023
11
EU brass demand was 950,000 tonnes in 2022
12
Japan's brass usage in electronics was 120,000 tonnes in FY2022
13
Brazil consumed 110,000 tonnes of brass in 2023
14
Germany's industrial brass demand 280,000 tonnes in 2022
15
South Korea brass consumption 160,000 tonnes in 2023 for auto
16
Italy's decorative brass demand 55,000 tonnes in 2022
17
Turkey brass demand reached 250,000 tonnes in 2023
18
Mexico consumed 75,000 tonnes brass in 2022
19
UK's brass demand for plumbing 80,000 tonnes in 2023
20
France construction brass use 60,000 tonnes in 2022
21
Vietnam brass demand grew 25% to 45,000 tonnes in 2023
22
Poland industrial brass consumption 120,000 tonnes in 2022
23
Thailand auto brass demand 35,000 tonnes in 2023
24
Spain brass for machinery 65,000 tonnes in 2022
25
Australia brass consumption 30,000 tonnes in 2023
Interpretation
Demand and Consumption Interpretation
The world keeps turning thanks to a vast and very heavy network of valves, wires, and gears, with China and our cars alone thirsting for enough brass to build a small mountain.
02 · Category
Market Size27 stats
01
The global brass market size was valued at USD 14.5 billion in 2022
02
North America brass market revenue reached USD 2.8 billion in 2023, growing at 4.1% CAGR
03
Asia-Pacific brass market share was 52% of global value in 2022 at USD 7.6 billion
04
European brass market valued USD 3.2 billion in 2022, projected to USD 4.1 billion by 2030
05
US brass market size hit USD 2.1 billion in 2023 with 3.8% growth
06
China's brass market revenue was USD 5.4 billion in 2022
07
India's brass industry market value stood at USD 1.2 billion in FY2023
08
Germany brass market was EUR 2.3 billion in 2022
09
Japan brass market size reached JPY 450 billion in FY2022
10
Brazil brass market valued BRL 1.8 billion in 2022
11
Global brass fittings segment market share was 28% in 2022 at USD 4.1 billion
12
Automotive brass market globally was USD 3.7 billion in 2023
13
Plumbing brass market size hit USD 4.2 billion in 2022 worldwide
14
Electrical brass components market valued USD 2.9 billion in 2023
15
Decorative brass market globally reached USD 1.8 billion in 2022
16
Industrial machinery brass market was USD 2.1 billion in 2023
17
Global brass rod market size USD 5.6 billion in 2022, CAGR 4.2% to 2030
18
Brass tube market valued at USD 4.8 billion globally in 2023
19
Brass sheet and plate market size was USD 3.4 billion in 2022
20
Free-machining brass market reached USD 1.9 billion in 2023 worldwide
21
Leaded brass market global value USD 2.3 billion in 2022
22
Global brass alloy market size projected USD 18.2 billion by 2028 from 14.5B in 2022
23
Middle East brass market was USD 0.9 billion in 2023
24
Latin America brass market valued USD 1.4 billion in 2022
25
Africa brass market size reached USD 0.7 billion in 2023
26
Global brass market CAGR forecast 4.5% from 2023-2030
27
Southeast Asia brass market USD 1.1 billion in 2022
Interpretation
Market Size Interpretation
While the world may be increasingly digital, it's clear we're still firmly, and rather profitably, screwed together, plumbed in, and wired up with brass.
03 · Category
Production30 stats
01
Global brass production volume reached 3.2 million metric tons in 2022, marking a 4.5% increase from 2021
02
China's brass ingot production totaled 1.85 million tonnes in 2023, accounting for 58% of global output
03
India produced 450,000 metric tons of brass products in FY2022-23, up 7% year-over-year
04
US brass mill products output was 1.2 million short tons in 2022
05
Germany manufactured 320,000 tonnes of brass rods in 2022
06
Italy's brass extrusion production hit 250,000 metric tons in 2021
07
Japan's brass production volume stood at 180,000 tonnes in FY2022
08
South Korea produced 140,000 metric tons of brass alloys in 2023
09
Brazil's brass ingot output reached 95,000 tonnes in 2022
10
Poland manufactured 110,000 metric tons of brass sheets in 2023
11
Global brass scrap recycling for production was 1.1 million tonnes in 2022
12
EU-27 brass rod production totaled 850,000 tonnes in 2022, down 2% from prior year
13
Thailand's brass production capacity utilization was 78% in 2023, yielding 75,000 tonnes
14
Mexico produced 65,000 metric tons of brass fittings in 2022
15
Russia's brass output was 90,000 tonnes in 2022 despite sanctions
16
Australia's secondary brass production from scrap reached 25,000 tonnes in 2023
17
Vietnam's brass manufacturing grew to 40,000 tonnes in 2022
18
Turkey produced 220,000 metric tons of brass semi-products in 2023
19
France's brass forge production was 45,000 tonnes in 2022
20
Spain manufactured 55,000 metric tons of brass tubes in 2023
21
Indonesia's brass ingot production hit 30,000 tonnes in 2022
22
UK's brass production volume was 70,000 tonnes in 2022
23
Canada's brass mill output reached 35,000 short tons in 2023
24
Sweden produced 28,000 tonnes of free-cutting brass in 2022
25
Czech Republic's brass extrusion was 60,000 tonnes in 2023
26
Global leaded brass production subset was 450,000 tonnes in 2022
27
Iran's brass production totaled 80,000 metric tons in 2022-23
28
Egypt manufactured 22,000 tonnes of brassware in 2023
29
Malaysia's brass rod output was 18,000 tonnes in 2022
30
Global brass production CAGR from 2018-2022 was 3.2%
Interpretation
Production Interpretation
While the world’s economies are hitting all the right notes, China’s brass section is playing a commanding solo, producing a striking 58% of the global output, leaving the rest of the orchestra to harmonize around its dominant melody.
More related reading
04 · Category
Trade22 stats
01
Global brass imports totaled 1.8 million metric tons in 2022, valued at USD 12.3 billion
02
China exported 650,000 tonnes of brass products in 2023 worth USD 4.2 billion
03
US brass imports were 900,000 short tons in 2022, USD 6.1 billion
04
India brass exports reached USD 1.5 billion in FY2023, volume 380,000 tonnes
05
Germany exported 220,000 tonnes brass in 2022, value EUR 1.8 billion
06
Italy brass exports USD 1.2 billion in 2023, 190,000 tonnes
07
Japan brass imports 150,000 tonnes in FY2022, USD 1.1 billion
08
South Korea exported 130,000 tonnes brass in 2023, USD 900 million
09
Brazil brass imports 95,000 tonnes in 2022, value USD 650 million
10
Turkey brass exports hit 210,000 tonnes in 2023, USD 1.4 billion
11
EU brass imports totaled 550,000 tonnes in 2022, USD 3.9 billion
12
Vietnam brass exports grew to 55,000 tonnes USD 380 million in 2023
13
Mexico brass exports 60,000 tonnes in 2022, USD 420 million to US
14
Poland brass imports 105,000 tonnes in 2023, value EUR 750 million
15
Thailand exported 45,000 tonnes brass in 2022, USD 310 million
16
Russia brass exports 75,000 tonnes despite sanctions USD 520 million 2023
17
France brass imports 50,000 tonnes in 2022, EUR 380 million
18
Spain exported 52,000 tonnes brass USD 360 million in 2023
19
UK brass imports 75,000 tonnes GBP 550 million in 2022
20
Canada brass trade balance deficit USD 200 million 2023 volume 40k tonnes import
21
Indonesia brass exports 28,000 tonnes USD 190 million in 2022
22
Australia's brass imports 25,000 tonnes AUD 220 million 2023
Interpretation
Trade Interpretation
The world's brass section is playing a surprisingly loud and expensive tune, where China leads as the principal exporter, the US conducts as the top importer, and even sanctioned Russia manages a faint, defiant note in the global orchestra of metal trade.
05 · Category
Workforce and Sustainability23 stats
01
Global brass industry employed 1.2 million direct workers in 2022
02
India brass sector workforce totaled 800,000 in FY2023, 60% artisans
03
China brass manufacturing employed 450,000 workers in 2023
04
US brass industry jobs 45,000 in 2022, down 1.5% YoY
05
Germany brass sector had 35,000 employees in 2023
06
Italy brass artisans and factories employed 28,000 in 2022
07
Global brass recycling rate reached 65% in 2023, saving 1.5M tonnes virgin material
08
EU brass industry CO2 emissions per tonne dropped 12% to 2.8 tonnes in 2022
09
India's Moradabad brass cluster employed 250,000 craftsmen in 2023
10
Japan brass workforce 22,000 skilled in 2023, aging average 48 years
11
Brazil brass sector jobs 18,000 in 2022
12
Turkey brass industry employed 40,000 in 2023
13
US brass recycling employed 12,000 workers in 2023
14
Global brass water usage per tonne production averaged 45 cubic meters in 2022
15
China brass plants energy efficiency improved 15% in 2023
16
EU brass workforce training programs covered 8,000 workers in 2022
17
Vietnam brass factories employed 15,000 in 2023
18
Poland brass sector 20,000 jobs in 2022
19
Global brass GHG emissions totaled 8.2 million tonnes CO2e in 2022
20
India's brass industry waste recycling rate 72% in 2023
21
Mexico brass workforce 12,000 in 2022
22
UK brass sustainability certifications held by 85% of producers in 2023
23
Thailand brass employment 10,000 in 2023
Interpretation
Workforce and Sustainability Interpretation
While India employs an army of artisans to handcraft its brass heritage and China powers its factories with staggering workforces, the developed world's smaller, greying brass sectors are scrambling to prove their worth not by mass, but through superior recycling, efficiency, and sustainability credentials.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Leah Kessler. (2026, February 13). Brass Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/brass-industry-statistics
MLA
Leah Kessler. "Brass Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/brass-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Leah Kessler. 2026. "Brass Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/brass-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
100 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level