The Chinese customs authority released the second batch of export data on Friday, revealing details on the countries and quantities of gallium and germanium exported in August. In the same month last year, China, the leading producer of both metals, imposed export restrictions, temporarily halting shipments to international customers. With the newly available data, an initial assessment of the impact of these export restrictions can now be made. China has also imposed similar regulations on graphite, antimony, and other raw materials. The background for these restrictions is their potential military applications. For instance, antimony is crucial for producing flame retardants in industry but is also indispensable for ammunition production. Exporters must, therefore, apply for licenses if they wish to export these resources abroad.
Gallium Exports at a High Level
In August, 11,217 kilograms of gallium were exported, slightly less than in July, which marked a record high. The main destination countries in August, as well as the entire last year, were Germany, Japan, and South Korea. Gallium is a crucial raw material for semiconductor production, and it is used in applications such as LEDs and modern computer chips.
Export volumes of gallium from August 2023 to August 2024
The main destinations for Chinese exports of gallium in the last twelve months
Germanium: Significant Decline
A different trend can be observed with germanium, as seen in previous months. The technological metal, primarily used for optical applications such as fiber optic cables and night vision devices, experienced a notable drop in exports. Compared to the previous month, exports fell by nearly 53%. In August, China primarily exported germanium to Russia. Looking at the last twelve months, the main destinations were Belgium, Russia, and Germany.
Export volumes of germanium from August 2023 to August 2024
The main destinations for Chinese exports of germanium in the last twelve months
Photo: iStock/SHansche
