The export quota for rare earths will be unchanged next year despite decade-low exports this year, industry leaders said.

The price of rare earths should remain stable and better reflect their true value, and export volumes in 2013 will be similar to those of 2012, Liu Yinan, vice-chairman of the China Chamber of Commerce of Metals, Minerals and Chemicals Importers and Exporters, told China Daily on Wednesday.

In the nine months to October, 9,967 metric tons were exported, according to the China Customs Statistics Information Center.