NEW OECD data shows export restrictions for critical raw materials are becoming increasingly widespread as demand surges, driven by the green and digital transitions and rising concerns over economic security. 

The OECD Inventory of Export Restrictions on Industrial Raw Materials offers key insights for policymakers and stakeholders to help identify less restrictive ways to meet both the security of supply needs of importing countries and the development goals of resource-rich nations. It provides annually updated data on the scope, type, and evolution of export restrictions across 65 industrial commodities and 82 producing countries. 

The 2025 edition, covering developments through the end of 2023, shows that export restrictions on industrial raw materials increased more than five-fold from 2009. This trend accelerated markedly in 2023 when over 500 new raw mineral products were affected by at least one export restriction. The growth rate of new export restrictions was more than double that of 2022 and nearly triple that of 2021 (see figure below). 

“Increasing export restrictions on critical raw materials can increase prices and the risk of supply chain disruptions, undermining global growth, the expansion of renewable energy and digitalisation " OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann said. "The OECD provides a unique evidence base to track these restrictions and identify less restrictive solutions that support both security of supply and the development goals of resource-rich countries."