Customs data show that in April 2026, China’s rare earth imports totaled 8,780.7 tons, decreased by 33.36% month-on-month and decreased by 30.44% year-on-year, with an import value of RMB 1.25 billion, decreased by 35.23% month-on-month and decreased by 8.09% year-on-year; rare earth exports totaled 5,308.6 tons, increased by 29.14% month-on-month and increased by 10.95% year-on-year, with an export value of RMB 440 million, increased by 33.33% month-on-month and decreased by 63.64% year-on-year.
Rare earth permanent magnet material images
Rare earths are a collective term for 17 chemical elements, including the lanthanide series elements (15 elements such as lanthanum, cerium, neodymium) as well as scandium and yttrium. They have extremely similar chemical properties, are dispersed and coexisting in nature, and are difficult to purify, hence the name “rare earths.” China is the world’s largest country in rare earth resources, production, and supply. These elements, due to their unique magnetic, optical, electrical, and catalytic properties, are known as the “vitamins” of modern industry and high technology.
Rare earths have a wide range of applications, penetrating both daily life and high-precision fields. They are mainly used in permanent magnetic materials (NdFeB magnets for electric vehicle motors, wind turbines, mobile phone motors, etc.), catalysts (petroleum cracking, automobile exhaust treatment), polishing powders (mobile phone screen glass), phosphorescent materials (LED lamps, displays), batteries, and military equipment (such as precision guidance and aerospace materials).
Rare earth permanent magnet material images
According to CTIA GROUP, in April 2026, prices of most rare earth products in China decreased month-on-month. Among them, Pr oxide averaged RMB 826,905/ton, decreased by approximately 3.46% month-on-month and increased by 83.63% year-on-year; Nd oxide averaged RMB 820,476/ton, decreased by approximately 3.48% month-on-month and increased by 84.64% year-on-year; Pr-Nd oxide averaged RMB 772,476/ton, decreased by approximately 1.33% month-on-month and increased by 81.37% year-on-year; Pr-Nd metal averaged RMB 942,286/ton, decreased by approximately 3.12% month-on-month and increased by 79.72% year-on-year; Tb oxide averaged RMB 6,110/kg, decreased by approximately 2.10% month-on-month and decreased by 11.39% year-on-year; Dy oxide averaged RMB 1,379,048/ton, decreased by approximately 5.72% month-on-month and decreased by 16.90% year-on-year; Dy-Fe alloy averaged RMB 1,354,762/ton, decreased by approximately 5.32% month-on-month and decreased by 16.58% year-on-year.
