Rare earth market update on May 19, 2026
The domestic rare earth prices have generally shown a downward trend, with prices of praseodymium-neodymium oxide, praseodymium-neodymium metal, terbium oxide, and holmium oxide decreasing by approximately RMB 23,000/ton, RMB 15,000/ton, RMB 20,000/ton, and RMB 5,000/ton, respectively. The recent decline in rare earth prices is mainly affected by weak downstream demand, relatively ample market supply, cautious market sentiment, and the previous large price increases.
From the demand side, under the backdrop of slow transmission of terminal demand upstream, recent fluctuations and decline in rare earth prices, and insufficient confidence among market participants in the short-term market, magnetic material companies generally adopt the strategy of “replenishing inventory as needed and operating with low inventory,” resulting in light market transactions.
From the supply side, affected by long-term market demand being below expectations, some spot supply in the market is slightly loose. However, due to high energy prices and stricter environmental enforcement policies, the production release speed of some rare earth manufacturers has slowed down. The Department of Natural Resources of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region announced that from April 10, 2026, to December 31, 2026, it will focus on cracking down on and rectifying illegal mining of strategic minerals such as rare earths, gold, germanium, antimony, molybdenum, and indium, as well as theft and excavation that damage farmland, forest land, and grassland.
In addition, the long-term increase and large magnitude of praseodymium-neodymium prices in the previous period is also an important reason why prices have been difficult to stabilize recently. According to statistics from CTIA GROUP, from the beginning of the year to the end of April, the price of praseodymium oxide increased by approximately 41.56%, the price of neodymium oxide increased by approximately 41.92%, the price of praseodymium-neodymium oxide increased by approximately 35.69%, and the price of praseodymium-neodymium metal increased by approximately 35.54%.
Price of rare earth products on May 19, 2026
Images of neodymium oxide
