Chinese rare earth exports declined for the second consecutive month in October, as reported by Reuters, marking a 5.2% drop compared to September. However, despite the monthly dip, shipments were up by 15.8% compared to October 2024.
At the same time, exports to the United States recorded a significant increase of 56.1% on a monthly basis, reaching 656 tons, the highest level since January. This boost follows Beijing’s decision in early November to suspend for one year the rare earth export control measures it had announced earlier.
China, the world’s largest producer and exporter of rare earths, has begun formulating a new licensing regime, which, according to market sources, could accelerate shipping procedures, without, however, constituting a full lifting of restrictions.
The main destinations for October were Germany, the USA, South Korea, Vietnam, and India. On an annual basis, Chinese rare earth exports amounted to 45,290 tons, recording an annual decrease of 5.2%.
