Only a few countries produce significant amounts of rare-earth elements. China is currently the dominant producer of rare-earth element. Other countries with notable production are: Brazil, India, Kyrgyzstan, and Malaysia; minor production may occur in Indonesia, Commonwealth of Independent states, Nigeria, North Korea, and Vietnam. China became the world's dominant producer of rare-earth elements in the earth 1990s. China's dominance increased rapidly and in 2000 China accounted for about 90 percent of world rare-earth production. In 2009 China accounted for more than 97 percent of the world's rare-earth production. China is also the dominant consumer of rare-earth elements, used mainly in manufacturing electronics products for domestic and export markets. Japan and the United States are the second-and third-largest consumers of rare-earth materials. In 2010 China announced they would significantly restrict their rare-earth exports to ensure a supply for domestic manufacturing. This announcement triggered some panic buying and rare-earth prices shot up to record high levels. The 72 percent reduction of rare-earth exports from China in 2010 was followed by an announced 35 percent reduction in export for the first half of 2011. China's future export policies are unpredictable, but most analysts expect the Chinese government to favor China's domestic interests, needs, and economic development, Additionally, the total expected production of REEs in China is expected to be insufficient for worldwide demand.