Countries that impose restrictions on exports of raw materials could well compromise achieving global net zero CO2 emissions targets and the digital transformation necessary to ensure economic security. The OECD monitors the use of these restrictions in order to contribute to a better understanding of why countries resort to such measures and their impact on international markets.
The annual update of the OECD Database on Export Restrictions on Industrial Raw Materials shows a five-fold increase in export restrictions on critical raw materials since the OECD began collecting data in 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.
