Year-by-year annual average price for bismuth in USD/kg, sourced from U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025. Bismuth metal (99.99%); byproduct of lead and copper refining.
Bismuth is the primary non-toxic substitute for lead in ammunition, fishing weights, and solders. China dominates production, creating supply chain risk for industries seeking to eliminate lead. Demand is driven primarily by Pharmaceuticals (bismuth subsalicylate, stomach remedies), Low-melting alloys for fire sprinklers and fuses, Cosmetics and pigments. Supply is concentrated in China, Peru, Mexico, so output disruptions or trade-policy shifts in those countries are the main long-run drivers of Bismuth prices.
Bismuth prices fell -5.7% from 2023's $7.00 per USD/kg to $6.60 per USD/kg in 2024.
Bismuth prices held roughly steady at $7.00 per USD/kg (2022 average: $7.00) in 2023.
Bismuth prices held roughly steady at $7.00 per USD/kg (2021 average: $7.00) in 2022.
Bismuth prices rose +16.7% from 2020's $6.00 per USD/kg to $7.00 per USD/kg in 2021. That was the highest 2021 reading in 8 years.
Bismuth prices held roughly steady at $6.00 per USD/kg (2019 average: $6.00) in 2020.
Movement summaries above are calculated directly from the annual averages shown in the table. Critical Minerals HQ does not attribute price moves to specific events except where backed by sourced reporting.
| Year | Average Price (USD/kg) | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $6.60 | -5.7% |
| 2023 | $7.00 | +0.0% |
| 2022 | $7.00 | +0.0% |
| 2021 | $7.00 | +16.7% |
| 2020 | $6.00 | +0.0% |
| 2019 | $6.00 | +0.0% |
| 2018 | $6.00 | +9.1% |
| 2017 | $5.50 | +10.0% |
| 2016 | $5.00 | -9.1% |
| 2015 | $5.50 | -8.3% |
| 2014 | $6.00 | +0.0% |
| 2013 | $6.00 | -14.3% |
| 2012 | $7.00 | -12.5% |
| 2011 | $8.00 | +33.3% |
| 2010 | $6.00 | +0.0% |
| 2009 | $6.00 | -25.0% |
| 2008 | $8.00 | -11.1% |
| 2007 | $9.00 | +50.0% |
| 2006 | $6.00 | +20.0% |
| 2005 | $5.00 | +25.0% |
| 2004 | $4.00 | +14.3% |
| 2003 | $3.50 | +16.7% |
| 2002 | $3.00 | +0.0% |
| 2001 | $3.00 | +0.0% |
| 2000 | $3.00 | — |
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025. Bismuth metal (99.99%); byproduct of lead and copper refining
The most recent annual average we track is $6.60 per USD/kg for 2024. Live spot prices are shown on the Bismuth live-price page.
down -5.7% — from $7.00 per USD/kg in 2023 to $6.60 per USD/kg in 2024.
up +10.0% — from $6.00 per USD/kg in 2019 to $6.60 per USD/kg in 2024.
up +10.0% — from $6.00 per USD/kg in 2014 to $6.60 per USD/kg in 2024.
Bismuth is the primary non-toxic substitute for lead in ammunition, fishing weights, and solders. China dominates production, creating supply chain risk for industries seeking to eliminate lead. Demand is driven primarily by Pharmaceuticals (bismuth subsalicylate, stomach remedies), Low-melting alloys for fire sprinklers and fuses, Cosmetics and pigments. Supply is concentrated in China, Peru, Mexico, so output disruptions or trade-policy shifts in those countries are the main long-run drivers of Bismuth prices.
The highest annual average bismuth price in our recorded series was $9.00 per USD/kg in 2007.
U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025. Bismuth metal (99.99%); byproduct of lead and copper refining