SunSirs: China's Rare Earth Exports Hit 11-Year High in 2025

January 14th Update: Despite China imposing export restrictions on several medium-to-heavy rare earth elements since April last year, data released by the General Administration of Customs on the 14th shows that China exported 62,585.2 tons of rare earths in 2025. This represents a 12.9% year-on-year increase, reaching the highest level since 2014.

In April 2025, China added seven medium-to-heavy rare earth elements and magnets to its export control list in response to U.S. high tariffs, causing exports to plummet in April and May 2025.

However, since June 2025, China's rare earth exports have gradually rebounded following a series of agreements reached between China and the U.S. with Europe.

Notably, China's rare earth exports reached 5,493.9 tons in November 2025, a substantial 24.4% increase compared to the same period in 2024. However, exports dropped by 20% month-on-month to 4,392 tons in December 2025, as some overseas manufacturers stockpiled ahead of the Christmas holiday, reducing overseas procurement demand in December.

Many overseas buyers placed additional orders in November 2025 to prepare for the December holiday season. Nevertheless, China's December exports remained 32% higher than the 3,326 tons recorded in the same month of 2024.

China's rare earth industry demonstrated both volume and price growth in 2025. The average export price for rare earths in November 2025 reached $9,000 per ton, up from $8,300 per ton in November 2024.

Furthermore, following the implementation of total volume control management for rare earth mining and smelting separation, China's medium-to-long-term supply remains secure. The deceleration in rare earth quota growth has caused supply expansion to lag significantly behind demand growth. Coupled with demand stimulation from industries like robotics, low-altitude economy, and military manufacturing, both supply and demand are showing positive resonance. China's rare earth industry is expected to maintain high performance growth this year.

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