Germanium
U.S. supply, trade and import sources, 2021–2025
Where U.S. imports of germanium metal came from, 2021–24 (share of import quantity or value as reported)
- China 41%
- Belgium 27%
- Germany 25%
- Russia 3%
- Other countries 4%
U.S. imports of germanium (germanium metal) fell from 13,000 kilograms in 2021 to 7,000 kilograms in 2025 (germanium content). China supplied 41% of U.S. imports of germanium metal in 2021–24, more than any other country. Net imports covered more than 50% of U.S. germanium consumption in 2025.
United States
supply, trade and import sources
more than 50%
Net import reliance in 2025, as a percentage of estimated consumption.
2021>50
2022>50
2023>50
2024>50
2025>50
Uses named for it in the 2025 critical minerals list: fiber optics, night-vision devices, and semiconductors.
| Item | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Production, refinery: Primary | — | — | — | — | — |
| Production, refinery: Secondary | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Imports for consumption: Germanium metal | 13,000 | 14,000 | 22,000 | 21,000 | 7,000 |
| Imports for consumption: Germanium dioxide | 17,000 | 15,000 | 14,000 | 11,000 | 17,000 |
| Imports for consumption: Germanium tetrachloride | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Exports: Germanium metal | 5,500 | 6,600 | 6,000 | 9,000 | 7,000 |
| Exports: Germanium dioxide | 430 | 130 | 110 | 92 | 15 |
| Exports: Germanium tetrachloride | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Shipments from Government stockpile | — | — | NA | NA | NA |
| Consumption, estimated | 30,000 | NA | NA | NA | NA |
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Germanium chapter (PDF page 96). How to read these figures.