China to Cut Rare-Earth Export Quota by 35%

China, the world's largest rare-earth producer, has capped its export quota for the minerals needed to make hybrid cars and televisions at 14,508 metric tons for the first half of 2011, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Commerce.

The quota was 35% less than that of the same period of 2010.

According to statistics released by the MOC, 22 approved domestic enterprises are granted a combined rear earth export quota of 10,762 tons, while nine foreign and Sino-foreign joint ventures have quotas of 3,746 metric tons in total.

In the first half of 2010, the rear earth export quotas for 22 domestic enterprises were 16,304 metric tons, while ten foreign and Sino-foreign JVs were granted 5,978 metric in total, said the MOC.

Earlier December 2010, China's General Administration of Customs announced that the country's rare earth exports surged 100% in November compared with that in October, as reported by China Knowledge.

In November 2010, China exported 2,090 tons of rare earth, while it exported only 830 tons in October after it announced to cut rare earth export quotas for the second half of 2010.