EU trade in rare earth elements increased in 2025
EU trade in rare earth elements grew in 2025, after a steep decline recorded in 2024. Imports rose by 17.1%, reaching 15 100 tonnes, while exports rose by 21.1%, totalling 6 700 tonnes.
At the same time, the value of imported rare earth elements increased by 23.2% to €124.9 million, and the value of exports grew by 29.9% to €124.7 million.
Rare earth elements are a group of 17 speciality metals with a high supply risk and significant economic importance, used in various high-tech applications, including in everyday technologies like mobile phones and computers, and also in advanced medical technologies.
Source dataset: ds-045409
China: top supplier of rare earth elements
In 2025, most of the rare earth elements were imported from China (46.8% of total weight, or 7 100 tonnes). The second-largest partner was Russia, with 25.9% of imports (3 900 tonnes), and Malaysia came third, with 23.1% of imports (3 500 tonnes). Japan and the United States followed with 1.6% and 0.9%, respectively.
Source dataset: ds-045409
For more information
- Statistics Explained article on international trade in critical raw materials
- Publications on international trade in goods
- Thematic section on international trade in goods
- Database on international trade in goods
- Raw Materials Profiles – Rare Earth Elements dashboard
Methodological note
Rare earth elements (REE+) are a set of 17 chemical elements in the periodic table, specifically the 15 lanthanides plus scandium and yttrium. They are used in everyday technologies like mobile phones and computers, and also in advanced medical technologies like MRIs, laser scalpels and even some cancer drugs. In defence applications, they are used in satellite communications, guidance systems and aircraft structures. They are critical in several green technologies, especially those that support net-zero carbon emissions goals, such as wind turbines and electric vehicles. Rare earth elements defined by the combined nomenclature (CN) classification are the following:
- 28053010 - Intermixtures or interalloys of rare-earth metals, scandium and yttrium.
- 28053040 - Scandium, of a purity by weight of >=95% (excluding intermixtures and interalloys).
- 28053080 - Rare-earth metals, scandium and yttrium, of a purity by weight of <95% (excluding intermixtures and interalloys).
- 28461000 - Cerium compounds.
- 28469030 - Scandium compounds, inorganic or organic.
- 28469090 - Compounds of mixtures of rare-earth metals, yttrium and scandium, inorganic or organic.
- 28053021 - Cerium and lanthanum, of a purity by weight of >=95% (excl. intermixtures and interalloys).
- 28053029 - Praseodymium, neodymium and samarium, of a purity by weight of >=95% (excluding intermixtures and interalloys).
- 28053031 - Gadolinium, terbium and dysprosium, of a purity by weight of >=95% (excluding intermixtures and interalloys).
- 28053039 - Europium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, lutetium and yttrium, of a purity by weight of >=95% (excluding intermixtures and interalloys).
- 28469040 - Lanthanum compounds, inorganic or organic.
- 28469050 - Compounds of praseodymium, neodymium or samarium, inorganic or organic.
- 28469060 - Compounds of gadolinium, terbium or dysprosium, inorganic or organic.
- 28469070 - Compounds of europium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, lutetium or yttrium, inorganic or organic.
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