Sep 2, 2025
IndexBox has just published a new report: U.S. – Base Metal Coated Electrodes For Electric Arc-Welding – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights.
The market for coated arc-welding electrode in the United States is expected to experience a slight increase in performance over the next decade, with a forecasted CAGR of +0.2% for volume and +1.7% for value from 2024 to 2035. By the end of 2035, market volume is projected to reach 204K tons, while market value is anticipated to reach $2.2B (in nominal wholesale prices).
Market Forecast
Driven by rising demand for coated arc-welding electrode in the United States, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next decade. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +0.2% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 204K tons by the end of 2035.
In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +1.7% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $2.2B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.
ConsumptionUnited States’s Consumption of Coated Base Metal Electrodes For Electric Arc-Welding
In 2024, consumption of coated base metal electrodes for electric arc-welding decreased by -0.4% to 199K tons, falling for the seventh consecutive year after two years of growth. Over the period under review, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 0.4%. Over the period under review, consumption hit record highs at 209K tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, consumption failed to regain momentum.
The revenue of the coated arc-welding electrode market in the United States stood at $1.8B in 2024, stabilizing at the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the period from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Coated arc-welding electrode consumption peaked in 2024 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.
ProductionUnited States’s Production of Coated Base Metal Electrodes For Electric Arc-Welding
In 2024, production of coated base metal electrodes for electric arc-welding decreased by -1.9% to 190K tons, falling for the third consecutive year after two years of growth. In general, production saw a slight curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 1.8%. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum volume at 212K tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.
In value terms, coated arc-welding electrode production stood at $1.8B in 2024. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2022 with an increase of 17%. Coated arc-welding electrode production peaked in 2024 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.
ImportsUnited States’s Imports of Coated Base Metal Electrodes For Electric Arc-Welding
In 2024, overseas purchases of coated base metal electrodes for electric arc-welding increased by 14% to 16K tons, rising for the third year in a row after two years of decline. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the period from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 17%. As a result, imports reached the peak of 17K tons. From 2020 to 2024, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.
In value terms, coated arc-welding electrode imports rose markedly to $51M in 2024. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% over the period from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 when imports increased by 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure in 2024 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.
Imports By Country
Mexico (3.6K tons), Vietnam (2.9K tons) and India (2.4K tons) were the main suppliers of coated arc-welding electrode imports to the United States, with a combined 55% share of total imports.
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Vietnam (with a CAGR of +60.0%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, Mexico ($15M) constituted the largest supplier of coated base metal electrodes for electric arc-welding to the United States, comprising 30% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by India ($5.2M), with a 10% share of total imports. It was followed by Vietnam, with a 9.8% share.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of value from Mexico amounted to +3.7%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: India (+15.4% per year) and Vietnam (+59.3% per year).
Import Prices By Country
In 2024, the average coated arc-welding electrode import price amounted to $3,173 per ton, falling by -4.7% against the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a mild contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 20%. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $3,606 per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, import prices failed to regain momentum.
Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Mexico ($4,295 per ton), while the price for Vietnam ($1,724 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Korea (+3.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.
ExportsUnited States’s Exports of Coated Base Metal Electrodes For Electric Arc-Welding
In 2024, the amount of coated base metal electrodes for electric arc-welding exported from the United States dropped to 7.4K tons, declining by -10.2% against 2023. Over the period under review, exports recorded a deep setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 21% against the previous year. The exports peaked at 15K tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.
In value terms, coated arc-welding electrode exports contracted to $73M in 2024. In general, exports showed a pronounced contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 22% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $97M in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, the exports remained at a lower figure.
Exports By Country
Canada (2.2K tons) was the main destination for coated arc-welding electrode exports from the United States, accounting for a 29% share of total exports. Moreover, coated arc-welding electrode exports to Canada exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, India (868 tons), twofold. Saudi Arabia (711 tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 9.6% share.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Canada stood at -7.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: India (+19.9% per year) and Saudi Arabia (-3.7% per year).
In value terms, Canada ($16M) remains the key foreign market for coated base metal electrodes for electric arc-welding exports from the United States, comprising 22% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Mexico ($7.8M), with an 11% share of total exports. It was followed by the United Arab Emirates, with an 11% share.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of value to Canada stood at -3.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Mexico (+0.1% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (+3.1% per year).
Export Prices By Country
The average coated arc-welding electrode export price stood at $9,826 per ton in 2024, rising by 2.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, export price indicated a pronounced increase from 2013 to 2024: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, coated arc-welding electrode export price increased by +71.7% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 when the average export price increased by 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs in 2024 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.
Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was China ($30,092 per ton), while the average price for exports to Kuwait ($4,029 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the United Arab Emirates (+8.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.