EU: Rare Earth Metal Market 2025

Rare Earth Metal Market Size in the EU

In 2021, the EU rare earth metal market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2016, thus ending a four-year declining trend. Over the period under review, consumption recorded a noticeable contraction. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Rare Earth Metal Production in the EU

In value terms, rare earth metal production dropped to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 134%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Rare Earth Metal Exports

Exports in the EU

In 2021, approx. X tons of rare earth metals were exported in the European Union; falling by -16.6% on the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, exports faced a drastic downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 20% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, rare earth metal exports shrank sharply to $X in 2021. Overall, exports saw a significant decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when exports increased by 32% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands represented the major exporter of rare earth metals in the European Union, with the volume of exports finishing at X tons, which was near 59% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Poland (X tons), constituting a 33% share of total exports. Germany (X tons), Spain (X tons) and France (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Poland (with a CAGR of +114.2%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) remains the largest rare earth metal supplier in the European Union, comprising 52% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Germany ($X), with a 17% share of total exports. It was followed by Poland, with an 8.5% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in the Netherlands stood at -16.6%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (-11.9% per year) and Poland (+47.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, with a decrease of -67.5% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a abrupt decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 an increase of 72% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while Poland ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (-2.3%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Rare Earth Metal Imports

Imports in the EU

In 2021, approx. X tons of rare earth metals were imported in the European Union; which is down by -4.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports recorded a abrupt contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when imports increased by 26%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, rare earth metal imports expanded slightly to $X in 2021. In general, imports saw a deep setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 11% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Germany represented the main importing country with an import of about X tons, which finished at 37% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Spain (X tons), France (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons), Slovenia (X tons) and Sweden (X tons), together committing a 55% share of total imports. Poland (X tons) held a little share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to rare earth metal imports into Germany stood at -8.7%. At the same time, Poland (+33.3%) and Slovenia (+4.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Poland emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the European Union, with a CAGR of +33.3% from 2012-2021. By contrast, the Netherlands (-1.6%), Spain (-5.8%), Sweden (-7.7%) and France (-17.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Germany, Slovenia, the Netherlands, Spain, Poland and Sweden increased by +8.6, +8.5, +7.2, +6.4, +3.1 and +1.6 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, Germany ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported rare earth metals in the European Union, comprising 39% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by France ($X), with a 16% share of total imports. It was followed by Spain, with a 9.5% share.

In Germany, rare earth metal imports contracted by an average annual rate of -17.0% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: France (-14.9% per year) and Spain (-5.5% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 9.5% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, showed a abrupt shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the import price increased by 43%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Sweden ($X per ton), while the Netherlands ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (+3.2%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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