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As China is by far the largest supplier of gallium, the country has a dominant position on the global market. Since summer 2023, a licensing system has been in place for the export of gallium from the People's Republic. Beijing justified the introduction of this trade restriction on the grounds of national security. Since then, licenses must be applied for for exports and detailed information on the intended use and end product must be provided. Products that could also be used for military purposes and are therefore considered dual-use goods are generally not granted an export license. This is particularly relevant as gallium plays a central role in the semiconductor industry: Materials such as gallium nitride and gallium arsenide are used in high-frequency chips, power electronics and modern communication technology, among other things.
As a result of the trade restrictions in summer 2023, exports of gallium fell drastically. Export volumes have now returned to the level before the restrictions came into force. However, China controls the countries to which gallium is supplied through the restrictions. The government is continuously tightening these rules, which may have an impact on future availability on the market.
Future supply bottlenecks cannot be ruled out. These could affect the semiconductor industry, among others, as gallium is an irreplaceable raw material in the production of compound semiconductors. They play an important role in high-performance electronic and optoelectronic components.
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Geopolitical tensions and the strict export controls imposed by the world's leading producer of gallium and germanium, China, continue to cause market volatility.
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