Export controls on key raw materials have surged five times since 2009, according to OECD research presented in Istanbul. The study shows that 16 % of global exports of strategic minerals now fall under restrictions, up from 12.4 % in 2009.

China remains the dominant supplier of rare earths, graphite and critical elements like neodymium‑praseodymium and germanium, accounting for roughly 70 % of global output. Even after the 2011 rare‑earth embargo, exposure to Chinese dominance has barely eased, with the US, EU and Japan only marginally reducing risk.

The rise in controls follows a shift toward recycling, as countries tighten export rules on scrap metals and electronic waste to secure domestic supplies. 2024 saw new restriction‑imposing nations in Africa and Asia—Myanmar, Sierra Leone and Nigeria—expanding the geographic spread.

For investors, the expanding web of export controls signals higher supply‑chain volatility and a continued need for diversification. Companies reliant on cobalt, manganese and rare earths face increased regulatory cost and potential bottlenecks.