CHINA'S RARE EARTH EXPORTS RISE 23 PCT IN JAN-FEB – CUSTOMS DATA

BEIJING, March 10 (Bernama-Sputnik/RIA Novosti) -- China increased its exports of rare earth metals by 23 per cent in January-February 2026, data from the General Administration of Customs of China showed, reported Sputnik/RIA Novosti.

Rare earth exports for the two months reached 10,468 tonnes, a 23 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2025.

Rare earth sales during the reporting period generated US$68.6 million for China, representing a 15.9 per cent year-on-year decrease.

According to customs data, China exported 4,407 tonnes of rare earth elements in February, valued at US$25 million.

Rare earth elements are a group of 17 metals widely used in high-tech devices, including computers, televisions, and smartphones, as well as in defence technologies such as missile production, lasers, transportation systems, and military communications equipment.

In April 2025, China introduced export control measures on goods related to seven types of medium and heavy rare earth elements: samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium, and yttrium.

In October, China’s Commerce Ministry announced it would impose export controls, effective November 8, on goods related to medium and heavy rare earth elements, lithium batteries, artificial graphite anode materials, rare earth extraction and processing equipment, raw materials, and super-strong materials.

A day before the new measures were to take effect, China postponed the restrictions until November 10, 2026.

Previously, customs said that China's rare earth exports in 2025 increased by 12.9 per cent to 62,580 tonnes.

-- BERNAMA-SPUTNIK/RIA NOVOSTI