Following a slowdown in exports in January and February of this year, China’s exports of rare earth oxides (and oxide equivalents) increased 61% month-over-month in March 2019 to 4,659 tonnes, according to Adamas Intelligence.

While the amount of material exported was up in March, the total value of exported rare earth oxides (and oxide equivalents) decreased 2% month-over-month, speaking to the abundance of low-value rare earth materials exported in March (such as cerium and lanthanum) relative to the month prior.

In reflection of this, the average unit price of China’s rare earth oxide (or oxide equivalent) exports fell 39% month-over-month in March 2019 to US $7.77 per kilogram from US $12.75 per kilogram the month prior.