However, the figures are still below the volumes from the same month last year.
China exported more gallium and germanium again last month, according to the news agency Reuters, citing data from the Chinese customs authority. The export restrictions on gallium and germanium announced by Beijing came into force in August, requiring exporters to apply for licenses, which was possible only from the first of August. The applications’ processing time is estimated to be up to two months, so none of the two technology metals left China in August. Only one kilogram of germanium was exported in September. October now shows a different picture – presumably also due to export applications that have now been processed: according to data from the customs authority, Beijing exported 100 kilograms of processed and 150 kilograms of unprocessed gallium in October. In October 2022, the total figure was still over 3.25 tons. The figures for germanium exports are similar. While the figure in October 2022 was still 2.41 tons, the customs authority reports exports of processed and unprocessed germanium at a total of 648 kilograms. Reuters added that there is no precise data on germanium in oxide form, as it is listed in the same category as zirconium dioxide. Meanwhile, a further increase in exports of both raw materials is expected in the industry for November.
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