In April, China exported 5,309 tonnes of rare earths, marking an increase of nearly 11% compared to the same month last year. Exports also rose significantly from March, posting a month-on-month gain of 29%.
Chinese rare earth exports April 2025 versus 2026
Detailed data on the composition of the exports is expected to be released next week.
In April 2025, the Chinese government introduced export controls on seven of the 17 rare earth elements, along with a range of related compounds. Since then, exports of some of these materials have partially stalled. However, the majority of China’s rare earth exports in 2025 — as in previous years — consisted of elements not currently subject to restrictions, such as lanthanum and cerium, which are primarily used in the chemical and glass industries.
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