Salient Germanium Statistics

This table presents key data on germanium production, imports, exports, consumption, stocks, and pricing primarily for the United States, along with global refinery production figures. Germanium is a critical industrial metal used in fiber optics, infrared optics, solar cells, and semiconductor applications, making these statistics vital for understanding supply and demand dynamics. Tracking imports and exports helps gauge the U.S. market’s reliance on foreign sources, while consumption and stock levels provide insight into domestic usage and strategic reserves. Additionally, price trends reflect market conditions and can influence industrial planning and investment decisions.

Analysis of the data reveals that U.S. imports of germanium metal increased significantly in 2023 to 22,000 kilograms, up from 14,000 kilograms in 2022, marking a notable 57% rise. Imports of germanium dioxide, however, declined slightly to 14,000 kilograms in 2023 from 15,000 kilograms the previous year. Total germanium content imported rose to 36,000 kilograms in 2023, surpassing the relatively stable 30,000 kilograms reported in 2021 and 2022. Exports of germanium metal decreased to 6,000 kilograms in 2023 from a peak of 6,600 kilograms in 2022, while exports of germanium dioxide remained low at 110 kilograms. U.S. consumption data for 2022 and 2023 are not available, but previous years showed steady consumption around 30,000 kilograms. The average U.S. import price for unwrought germanium metal was $1,334 per kilogram in 2023, slightly down from $1,361 in 2022 but higher than prices in 2020 and 2021. Globally, China remains the dominant refinery producer, with production estimated at 95,000 kilograms in 2020, up from 85,700 kilograms in 2019, while Russia and other countries maintain smaller but stable outputs. The U.S. government’s strategic stockpiles were steady at 14,000 kilograms through 2022, with no data reported for 2023.