Rare Earth Prices Jumped Initially and Then Pull Back Amid Intense Back-and-Forth Negotiations Between Upstream and Downstream [SMM Analysis]

Published: Sep 14, 2024 11:36
Source: SMM
Entering September, with the listing prices of rare earths released by China Northern Rare Earth up MoM, market confidence was greatly boosted.

Entering September, with the listing prices of rare earths released by China Northern Rare Earth up MoM, market confidence was greatly boosted. Meanwhile, news of customs clearance issues for auxiliary materials in Myanmar spread rapidly, exacerbating the already tight supply of Myanmar minerals, leading to a rapid increase in rare earth oxide prices. As of September 9, the price of Pr-Nd oxide had risen by 8.6% compared to August 30, dysprosium oxide by about 9%, and terbium oxide by an astonishing 15.5%.

Against the backdrop of rapidly rising rare earth prices, the order situation for downstream magnetic material companies did not meet expectations. Some magnetic material companies reported that since entering September, end-user order volumes had not significantly increased, despite frequent positive news from upstream and continuous price hikes from holders. However, this also led to a growing market fear of high prices.

Starting from the afternoon of September 9, due to the low purchase willingness of downstream buyers, reduced shipments from traders fearing high prices, and the comprehensive impact of large producers' bidding for metal products, rare earth prices began to pull back. Even so, the quotes from upstream separation plants remained relatively firm, resulting in a slow decline in rare earth prices. Under these circumstances, SMM expects that rare earth prices will gradually stabilize in the future.

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM‘s internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or to learn more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn
For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn
Related News
【SMM Analysis】Pr-Nd Alloy Hits 2-Year Profit High as Raw Material Costs Decline
4 hours ago
【SMM Analysis】Pr-Nd Alloy Hits 2-Year Profit High as Raw Material Costs Decline
Read More
【SMM Analysis】Pr-Nd Alloy Hits 2-Year Profit High as Raw Material Costs Decline
【SMM Analysis】Pr-Nd Alloy Hits 2-Year Profit High as Raw Material Costs Decline
【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.
4 hours ago
In the Market, Although Rare Earth Prices Outside China Fell, Premiums Remained Significant; Industrially, Lynas Aggressively Expanded Into Medium-Heavy Rare Earth [SMM Rare Earth Weekly Review Outside China]
5 hours ago
In the Market, Although Rare Earth Prices Outside China Fell, Premiums Remained Significant; Industrially, Lynas Aggressively Expanded Into Medium-Heavy Rare Earth [SMM Rare Earth Weekly Review Outside China]
Read More
In the Market, Although Rare Earth Prices Outside China Fell, Premiums Remained Significant; Industrially, Lynas Aggressively Expanded Into Medium-Heavy Rare Earth [SMM Rare Earth Weekly Review Outside China]
In the Market, Although Rare Earth Prices Outside China Fell, Premiums Remained Significant; Industrially, Lynas Aggressively Expanded Into Medium-Heavy Rare Earth [SMM Rare Earth Weekly Review Outside China]
This 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.
5 hours ago
China's Dysprosium Exports Surge 553.55% YoY, Setting New Record High in January 2026
5 hours ago
China's Dysprosium Exports Surge 553.55% YoY, Setting New Record High in January 2026
Read More
China's Dysprosium Exports Surge 553.55% YoY, Setting New Record High in January 2026
China's Dysprosium Exports Surge 553.55% YoY, Setting New Record High in January 2026
[Latest Data From the General Administration of Customs] In January 2026, China’s exports of metallic dysprosium reached 6.1 mt, up 144% MoM and surging 553.55% YoY. The month’s export volume set a record high since the implementation of export control policies in April 2025 and also marked the highest level in nearly three years. The main export destinations were Vietnam (3.5 mt), South Korea (1.6 mt), and Estonia (1 mt).
5 hours ago