Geopolitical tensions and export controls imposed by China, the world’s largest producer, continue to shape the volatile market.
After China’s gallium exports collapsed by 53 percent in November, shipments rebounded strongly in December. At 10,809 kilograms, exports were almost 49 percent above the previous month’s level, according to figures released by the Chinese customs administration on Tuesday. As in November, the bulk of the material was delivered to Japan, followed by Slovakia and Estonia.
China’s gallium exports in recent months
Germanium showed the opposite trend: Chinese exports of the metal fell by 44 percent in December. The list of recipient countries remained largely unchanged, with Russia taking the largest share of deliveries, followed by Germany.
China’s germanium exports in recent months
China is the world’s leading producer of both technology metals and placed their export under strict licensing requirements in the summer of 2023, citing the potential military use of the materials. The extent to which this policy continues to affect global availability, particularly of germanium, is most evident in the year-on-year comparison. Exports in 2025 were almost 60 percent lower than in 2024. As early as last summer, raw materials expert Dr. Christian Hell warned that the market was effectively missing an entire year’s worth of global germanium production.
Japan imported more gallium in 2025 – this could change in 2026
Gallium exports, by contrast, rose slightly from 60,880 kilograms in 2024 to 62,615 kilograms in 2025. However, noticeable shifts occurred in key markets: South Korea received significantly less material than the year before, while Japan expanded its imports.
This trend could reverse in the current year. In early January, China tightened export controls on dual-use goods—including gallium and germanium, destined for Japan amid growing tensions between the two countries.
Photo: rawmaterials.net via Canva