What this market covers
This market covers the storage, transport, reprocessing and disposal of used nuclear fuel. Buyers are nuclear utilities and government waste agencies.
Typical segments
- Wet pool storage
- Dry cask storage
- Transport casks
- Reprocessing
- Geological disposal
Why this market is moving now
- World trade shrank 34% from 2019 to 2024, a direct read on cross-border demand.
Key figures
Global figures for this market, with the year each one describes. Use Cite to copy a reference to this page.
| Figure | Value | Year | Cite |
|---|---|---|---|
| World exports of nuclear spent fuel (HS 284450) were worth $2.0 million in 2024. | 2.0 USD million | 2024 | |
| World exports were 34% lower in 2024 than in 2019 ($3.0 million), calculated from the annual totals. | -34 % since 2019 | 2024 | |
| Israel was the largest exporter in 2024, with 34% of world exports ($685 thousand). | 34 % of world exports | 2024 | |
| The three largest exporters, Israel, South Africa and the United States, shipped 72% of world exports in 2024. | 72 % of world exports | 2024 | |
| Qatar was the largest importer in 2024, buying $852 thousand, or 42% of world imports. | 42 % of world imports | 2024 | |
| The average world export price was about $41.87 per kilogram in 2024, calculated from value and weight. | 41.87 USD per kg | 2024 | |
| Countries exported 48 tonnes of this product in 2024. | 48 tonnes | 2024 |
Calculated figures (shares, changes and prices per kilogram) are plain arithmetic on the reported values. Read how we work.
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Nuclear utilities
- Waste agencies
- Governments
Largest exporting countries, 2024
Largest importing countries, 2024
What the full report covers
- 01Executive summary
The answer in one page: size, direction and what moves it - 02Market definition and scope
What is in and out of the global market - 03Global market size, 2021 to 2025
Historical series and growth rates - 04Countries and regions
Demand, supply and trade by country and region - 05Outlook to 2031
Base, low and high scenarios with stated assumptions - 06Rules, policy and deadlines
Regulation and programmes that change demand - 07Drivers and barriers
What accelerates or slows adoption, by customer segment - 08Prices, costs and margins
Unit economics where public data allows - 09Competitive landscape
8 to 12 company profiles with recent moves - 10Opportunities and risks
For new entrants, suppliers and investors - 11Method and assumptions
How every figure was built
Included with the full report
- PDF report, 40 to 60 pages
- Excel data pack
- Ready-to-use charts
- Method note and assumptions
- Written to order in 5 working days
Frequently asked questions
How big is the global nuclear spent fuel market?
There is no single official market total. World exports of HS 284450 reached $2.0 million in 2024, a direct measure of cross-border trade.
Which countries export the most nuclear spent fuel?
Israel led world exports in 2024 with 34% of the total, followed by South Africa, the United States and the Czech Republic.
Which countries import the most nuclear spent fuel?
Qatar was the largest importer in 2024, followed by the Netherlands, Botswana and Thailand.
Is world trade in nuclear spent fuel growing?
World exports were 34% lower in 2024 than in 2019.
What is the average export price of nuclear spent fuel?
Dividing world export value by weight gives about $41.87 per kilogram in 2024.
Free sample
Get a free sample of this report
We send the table of contents, two sample chapters and the method note, usually within one working day. It is free to ask.
- Full table of contents
- Two sample chapters
- Method note and data outline