Germany imported more rare earth materials in 2025 than in the previous year. According to preliminary data released by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) on Tuesday, the amount of these desired metals rose by 4.9 percent. Imports grew from 5,200 tons, valued at 64.5 million euros in 2024, to 5,500 tons, equivalent to 77.6 million euros in 2025.
Despite this increase, the volume remains significantly below the ten-year peak recorded in 2018, when Germany imported 9,700 tons, worth 38.3 million euros.
Regarding the sources of supply, China provided 55.4 percent of the imported quantity in 2025, accounting for 3,000 tons. This represents a reduction from 2024, when China supplied 65.4 percent of the imports. The second most significant source in 2025 was Austria, contributing 1,100 tons (20.0 percent) of the imports. Estonia followed with 600 tons, representing 10.9 percent. For these two countries, the rare earths have undergone further processing, meaning their original point of origin cannot be statistically verified.
The European Union also sources a large portion of its rare earth materials from China. European statistics authority Eurostat reported that in 2025, the EU imported 15,100 tons of rare earths, valued at 124.9 million euros. China was the leading supplier in the EU in 2025, responsible for 7,100 tons (46.8 percent) of the total. Russia was the next major partner with 3,900 tons (25.9 percent), followed by Malaysia, which provided 3,500 tons (23.1 percent).
China’s share of imports for specific rare earth materials into the EU is notably high. For instance, 3,700 tons out of 3,800 tons of imported lanthanide compounds (97.3 percent) in 2025 originated from China.
