Following a near standstill in April, China’s exports of the technology metals gallium and germanium recovered significantly in May.
According to the the latest data from China’s customs authorities, shipments of both materials increased significantly compared with the previous month. The strongest rebound was seen in gallium exports, which totalled 6,200 kilograms in May, up from just three kilograms in April. Export volumes thus returned to roughly the levels recorded during the first quarter of the year, when China shipped between 5,000 and 6,000 kilograms of gallium per month. The year-on-year comparison is equally noteworthy: China exported no gallium at all in May 2025.
Japan Receives Gallium Again After Months Without a Supply
Most of May’s gallium exports were destined for Japan, which received 6,000 kilograms. This marked the country’s first delivery of Chinese gallium since the start of the year.
In January, China introduced stricter export controls targeting Japan’s defence sector amid diplomatic tensions. In practice, however, these measures also affected other industrial sectors.
The remaining 200 kilograms of gallium were shipped to Malaysia, which had been the sole recipient of Chinese gallium exports in April.
Germanium Exports Recover, with Russia as the Main Destination
Germanium Exports also rose substantially in May. China shipped 1,134 kilograms of the technology metal, compared with just two kilograms in April. Export volumes were also 68 per cent higher than in the same month last year.
Russia once again emerged as the main destination, receiving 1,042 kilograms of germanium. The country had already been among the most important recipients in previous months. Smaller quantities were delivered to Germany, Türkiye, Australia and Italy.
Commenting on the latest export figures, Dr Christian Hell, Senior Manager for Germanium and Minor Metals at TRADIUM, said: “Following the complete halt in exports during the previous month, germanium shipments have risen significantly again. What stands out, however, is that almost the entire volume – more than 1,000 kilograms – was sent to Russia. At the same time, China supplied only very limited quantities to other countries, whilst there were still no significant export volumes. For many buyers, access to the germanium market therefore remains severely restricted. The situation for gallium is somewhat different. Japan received supplies again for the first time in many months, bringing the previous supply disruption to at least a temporary end. Nevertheless, it would be premature to speak of a stable and secure supply situation. The latest figures instead demonstrate how selectively China continues to manage its raw material exports. The coming months will show whether this trend persists or whether further countries regain access to these markets.”
Development of gallium exports in recent months
Development of germanium exports in recent months
Gallium and germanium are essential inputs for a wide range of civilian and military high-technology applications. As the world’s leading producer of both materials, China has imposed strict controls on exports licensing requirements in the summer of 2023. Since then, trade flows have become even more volatile. In addition to complex approval procedures, political relations with individual destination countries appear to be playing an increasingly important role in determining export patterns.
