The largest chromite-ore-producing countries (India, Kazakhstan, and South Africa) accounted for about 76% of world production in 2003. South Africa alone accounts for more than 45% of world production and has been the major supplier of chromium in the form of chromite ore and ferrochromium to Western industrialized countries. South Africa is the largest ferrochrome producer in the world.

In 2003 rising cost of ferrochromium production and a strengthening South African rand, along with increased demand for ferrochromium and tightness in supply of stainless steel scrap, have caused the price of ferrochromium to reach historically high levels. Increased demand for ferrochromium resulted from increased world stainless steel production, the major end use for ferrochromium. World stainless steel production responded to world demand led by China. With strong economic growth, China’s importance as a consumer of raw materials has increased significantly. The high price of ferrochromium resulted in the reentry of China and India, two of the world’s higher cost ferrochromium producers, in that commodity’s export market. It also fueled ferrochromium production expansion in Kazakhstan and bolstered its interest in moving into stainless steel production.

In 2003 world resources exceeded 12 billion tons of shipping-grade chromite, sufficient to meet conceivable demand for centuries. About 95% of chromium resources is geographically concentrated in southern Africa. Reserves and reserve base are geographically concentrated in Kazakhstan and southern Africa. USGS estimated global mine production of chromium in 2003 at 14 Mt compared to 13.5 Mt in 2002.