[SMM Analysis:Rare Earth Ore Imports Surge in Early 2026, Exceeding Demand and Causing Surplus] According to the latest data from the General Administration of Customs, from January to February 2026, China’s imports of mixed rare earth carbonate were about 3,013.7 mt, up 321% YoY. Over the same period, imports of unlisted rare earth oxides were about 12,860.4 mt, also posting a sharp increase of 209% YoY.
Mar 24, 2026 10:24This week, the rare earth market outside China showed a divergent pattern of “cerium up, the rest down.” Driven by price increases in China and rising ocean freight rates, cerium oxide FOB and CIF prices rose by $55/mt and $60/mt, respectively, while FOB offers for mainstream magnetic material raw materials such as praseodymium, neodymium, dysprosium, and terbium were generally lowered by $3-19.5/kg due to lower prices in China and tight supply caused by export controls. Although limited trading volumes supported premiums in markets outside China, expectations of an industrial slowdown in Europe triggered by the Middle East situation may suppress subsequent demand. On industry developments, Lynas’ Malaysia plant started samarium oxide production ahead of schedule, consolidating its position as the only commercial heavy rare earth separator outside China and advancing its 2030 strategy. In Australia, Terrain discovered high-grade magnetic rare earth ore intervals during drilling at its Western Australia project, highlighting significant resource potential.
Mar 20, 2026 18:10【SMM Analysis】As of this week, the weekly net profit of Pr-Nd alloy reached 36,812.4 yuan, with a net margin of 4.1%. Compared with last week, net profit increased 134%, setting a new profit high for the past nearly two years. The main reasons behind this were the decline in raw material costs and relatively high metal quotes.
Mar 20, 2026 19:10SMM News: As of March 20, 2026, the market price for Praseodymium-Neodymium (Pr-Nd) metal in China stabilized temporarily at 890,000–910,000 RMB/ton. This article utilizes the SMM Pr-Nd Terminal Demand Calculation Model to dissect the demand logic for 2026 across three core sectors—New Energy Vehicles (NEVs), Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles, and Wind Power—explaining the current supply-demand dilemma facing the NdFeB magnet and broader Pr-Nd markets.
Mar 23, 2026 08:45[SMM Rare Earth Weekly Review: Rare Earth Prices Pulled Back Significantly, Downstream Inquiries and Procurement Decreased] Affected by fluctuations in futures prices, confidence in the Pr-Nd oxide market dropped sharply. Traders proactively sold off cargoes at low prices, causing transaction prices in the Pr-Nd oxide market to fall rapidly. As of today, Pr-Nd oxide prices had already pulled back to 690,000-700,000 yuan/mt.
Mar 19, 2026 16:17According to customs data, China’s exports of bismuth trioxide in January 2026 were 677.56 mt, versus 570.97 mt in December 2025, showing a clear MoM increase. Market participants said that, judging from the overall changes in exports, China’s bismuth oxide exports had trended upward in almost every month since September 2025, indicating that bismuth oxide enterprises still maintained strong export momentum and that demand outside China was also increasing significantly.
Mar 20, 2026 13:05SMM launches graded price points for hafnium oxide and crystal hafnium to enhance pricing reference for the hafnium industry.
PriceMar 9, 2026 14:03Dear User, Hello! To comprehensively cover price information across all segments of the rare earth industry chain and assist upstream and downstream enterprises in monitoring market fluctuations and mitigating transaction risks, we have conducted extensive market surveys and industry consultations. It has been decided to introduce six new price points related to the rare earth industry chain, including lanthanum metal, praseodymium metal, and praseodymium oxide. The newly added price points are as follows: Praseodymium Oxide FOB: Compliant with Industry Standard GB/T 5239-2015, Content ≥99.0–99.9%, Unit: $/kg Terbium Oxide FOB: Compliant with Industry Standard GB/T 12144-2009, Content ≥99.95–99.99%, Unit $/kg The above two prices for rare earth oxides are inclusive of VAT, with the port of departure being any port within China. Lanthanum Metal FOB: Compliant with Industry Standard GB/T 15677-2023, Content ≥99.0%, Unit: $/kg Praseodymium Metal FOB: Compliant with industry standard GB/T 19395-2013, content ≥96.0-99.0%, unit $/kg Terbium Metal FOB: Compliant with Industry Standard GB/T 20893-2007, Content ≥99.9%, Unit: $/kg Yttrium Metal FOB: Complies with Industry Standard XB/T 218-2016, Content ≥99.9–99.95%, Unit: $/kg The price point of this rare earth metal includes VAT, and the port of departure is any port within China. Effective Date: The aforementioned new price points will be officially released starting January 28, 2026, and will be updated every Wednesday before 12:00 PM. The purpose of this addition is to achieve more refined regional and grade classifications. All newly added price points are based on mainstream industry trading specifications and trade conditions, formed through screening and verification via standard price collection processes. They are provided for market reference only and do not constitute trading decision recommendations. For details on the price formation methodology and specific product specifications, please log in to the official platform. If you have any questions, feel free to contact SMM Rare Earth Analyst Shi Xin at 021-51666815. SMM Rare Earth Industry Research Team January 27, 2026
PriceJan 27, 2026 13:58Dear User, Greetings! With the rapid development and continuous technological iterations in the solid-state battery industry, solid-state batteries have garnered increasing attention. As indispensable key materials for solid-state batteries, the market demand for sulfide electrolytes and oxide electrolytes is also surging accordingly. The quality of pentaphosphorus pentasulfide and lithium bromide, important raw materials for sulfide electrolytes, plays a significant role in influencing sulfide electrolytes. In the realm of oxide electrolytes, the application status of LLZO (lithium lanthanum zirconium oxide) in the semi-solid and solid-state battery markets is gradually rising. SMM is committed to supporting upstream and downstream enterprises in the solid-state battery industry chain, helping them gain comprehensive insights into the market dynamics of solid-state battery electrolytes. By providing real-time and accurate spot cargo and price information, we assist enterprises in effectively reducing risks and costs in market transactions, enhancing their core competitiveness and market adaptability. Simultaneously, SMM actively delves into research on the solid-state battery industry chain, striving to build a more transparent, fair, and efficient market environment for the industry through deepened industry analysis and continuous improvement of the knowledge system. After a period of consolidation and market surveys, SMM plans to introduce two important raw materials for sulfide electrolytes in solid-state batteries—pentaphosphorus pentasulfide and lithium bromide—along with a new price point for oxide electrolyte LLZO, starting from January 28. Details are as follows: Pentaphosphorus pentasulfide: P2S5 content ≥99.9%, Lithium bromide: LiBr content ≥99.9% Oxide electrolyte LLZO: powder, D50 ≤1μm. Price note: The above three product price points are all delivery-to-factory prices, inclusive of 13% VAT. Shanghai Metals Market New Energy Research Team January 24, 2026
PriceJan 24, 2026 22:26