Piles of refined rare earth elements. Stock image.
China’s exports of rare earths rose 3.4% from the prior month to a four-month high, thanks to more overseas restocking ahead of a traditional summer lull.
The world’s largest rare earth producer shipped out 5,490 metric tons of the group of 17 minerals essential to electric vehicles, wind turbines and defense technology, the highest since January, data from the General Administration of Customs showed on Tuesday.
That was up from 5,309 tons in April but down from 5,864 tons in May 2025.
Some overseas consumers stockpiled more volumes of feedstocks ahead of a summer lull starting from July.
In the first five months of 2026, China’s rare earth exports jumped by 2.2% from the year before to 25,378 tons, the customs data showed.
(By Amy Lv and Lewis Jackson)