China’s rare earth exports rose 23% in January-February 2026, reaching 10,468 tonnes, though the value of shipments fell by 15.9% to USD 68.6 million.

BEIJING: China’s exports of rare earth metals surged by 23% in the first two months of 2026, according to new data from the country’s General Administration of Customs.

The volume of shipments for January and February reached 10,468 tonnes, a significant increase compared to the same period in 2025.

Despite the higher volume, the sales value for the reporting period fell by 15.9% year-on-year to USD 68.6 million.

Customs data also showed that China exported 4,407 tonnes of rare earth elements in February alone, with a value of USD 25 million.

These 17 metals are critical components in a wide range of high-tech devices, including computers, televisions, and smartphones, as well as in advanced defence technologies like missile systems, lasers, and military communications.

The trade figures come amid a backdrop of evolving export policies, with China introducing controls on goods related to seven types of medium and heavy rare earth elements in April 2025.

The country’s Commerce Ministry later announced in October 2025 that it would impose broader export controls, effective from November 8, covering medium and heavy rare earths, lithium batteries, artificial graphite anode materials, and related equipment.

Those new measures were postponed at the last minute, however, with authorities delaying their implementation until November 10, 2026.

Previous customs data indicated that China’s total rare earth exports for the full year of 2025 increased by 12.9% to 62,580 tonnes.

 The Sun Malaysia