In March, China once again exported gallium and germanium to only a small number of countries, a pattern that has become familiar since the world's leading producer of these critical raw materials introduced strict export controls in the summer of 2023.
The latest customs data from China show trade flows for gallium and germanium remain heavily concentrated. In March, Germany received the largest share of gallium, with 5,000 kilograms. In January and February, Germany had been the sole recipient of the metal. In March, South Korea and Malaysia received smaller quantities as well. Japan, which had been the leading importer of Chinese gallium the previous year, again received no material - as had been the case in January and February. This is likely a consequence of tightened export controls against Japan That took effect at the start of 2026. Beyond the destination countries, overall export volumes changed little, coming in at 5,320 kilograms, roughly in line with the two preceding months.
Development of gallium exports in recent months
Development of germanium exports in recent months
Germanium Exports Rise but Remain Below Prior-Year Levels
Germanium told a different story, with export volumes climbing from 736 kilograms in February to just under 1,000 kilograms in March, an increase of more than 35 per cent. Even so, the figure fell well short of the nearly 1,500 kilograms shipped in the same month last year. The picture among recipient countries was largely unchanged: as in the previous month, 600 kilograms went to Russia, with only Germany and Turkey receiving notable quantities.
Dr Christian Hell, Senior Manager Germanium and Minor Metals: "The latest export figures for gallium and germanium out of China show little change. Recipient countries remain heavily concentrated for both materials. Germany is the leading buyer of gallium for the third consecutive month. For the first time this year, South Korea and Malaysia also received gallium shipments, while Japan was left empty-handed once again. Gallium export volumes have been relatively stable since the start of the year, whereas germanium volumes rose significantly compared to February. There was little change in the countries receiving germanium either: Russia remained the top buyer, and Japan received nothing. In my view, China is using a notably strategic allocation of these raw materials to exert geopolitical pressure."
Gallium and germanium are essential to technologies such as semiconductor manufacturing, radar systems and fibre optic cables, applications that serve both civilian and military purposes. It was precisely this dual-use potential that China cited as justification for the export controls it introduced in the summer of 2023.
