China state-linked Baotou, the world's largest rare earth producer, said it has halted output for a month from Oct. 20 as the country seeks to boost prices of the sought-after commodities.

China produces more than 95% of the world's rare earths -- 17 elements critical to manufacturing everything from iPods to low-emission cars -- and its moves to dictate production and exports have caused an outcry from major trading partners.

An official at Inner Mongolia Baotou Steel Rare-Earth (Group) Hi-tech Co. Ltd (Baotou) called the production stoppage temporary. Baotou operates the world's largest production base for rare earths.

"Production should resume in a month as it is just a provisional measure," said the official. He added the company called a similar month-long halt in May 2008.

Earlier this week, the Shanghai-listed company said it would halt supplies of raw materials to its processing units for a month to "stabilize the market and balance supply and demand."

The move marks the second time in as many months that Baotou has sought to boost rare earth prices. Last month, it bought praseodymium-neodymium oxide -- one of its own rare earths products -- from other companies at above market prices to "protect resources and maintain market stability", the company said.

Average prices for rare earth oxides have fallen more than 20% in the past three months, the China Daily newspaper said on Oct. 20. Speculation sent prices soaring in the first half of the year but the market has since retreated, with analysts blaming excess inventory caused by slowing demand amid the global economic turmoil.

Beijing has angered trade partners by restricting overseas shipments of rare earths, in a bid to burnish its green credentials and tighten its grip over the metals.

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