The import of waste or scrap of precious metal to Canada saw fluctuations over the years, with significant ups and downs in value. Between 2013 and 2016, there was a notable decline except for a spike in 2016. From 2017 to 2019, the trend became somewhat stable albeit still volatile, with an upward surge in 2019. However, the following year saw a significant drop. The period from 2020 onwards demonstrated an overall positive trend, with 2023 showing a marginal 1% year-on-year increase to stand at $1.6414 Billion. The last two years showed an average yearly increase of 1.65%, and the last five years have an average CAGR of 4.65%.
Future trends to watch for include potential regulatory changes in global recycling markets, shifts in the precious metal prices, and the influence of technological advancements on recycling methods. These factors could either bolster or dampen import levels in the near term.