Year-by-year annual average price for cerium in USD/kg, sourced from U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025. Cerium oxide (CeO₂), 99% REO, Chinese export price.
Cerium is critical for glass polishing in semiconductor manufacturing and display technology, and for automotive emission control catalysts. Demand is driven primarily by Glass polishing compounds for optics and screens, Automotive catalytic converter washcoats, UV-blocking glass additives. Supply is concentrated in China, Australia, United States, so output disruptions or trade-policy shifts in those countries are the main long-run drivers of Cerium prices.
Cerium prices fell -25.0% from 2023's $2.00 per USD/kg to $1.50 per USD/kg in 2024. That was the lowest 2024 reading in 17 years.
Cerium prices fell -50.0% from 2022's $4.00 per USD/kg to $2.00 per USD/kg in 2023.
Cerium prices rose +33.3% from 2021's $3.00 per USD/kg to $4.00 per USD/kg in 2022. That was the highest 2022 reading in 8 years.
Cerium prices rose +50.0% from 2020's $2.00 per USD/kg to $3.00 per USD/kg in 2021. That was the highest 2021 reading in 6 years.
Cerium prices held roughly steady at $2.00 per USD/kg (2019 average: $2.00) 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 | $1.50 | -25.0% |
| 2023 | $2.00 | -50.0% |
| 2022 | $4.00 | +33.3% |
| 2021 | $3.00 | +50.0% |
| 2020 | $2.00 | +0.0% |
| 2019 | $2.00 | +0.0% |
| 2018 | $2.00 | +0.0% |
| 2017 | $2.00 | +0.0% |
| 2016 | $2.00 | +0.0% |
| 2015 | $2.00 | -33.3% |
| 2014 | $3.00 | -40.0% |
| 2013 | $5.00 | -66.7% |
| 2012 | $15 | -62.5% |
| 2011 | $40 | +400.0% |
| 2010 | $8.00 | +100.0% |
| 2009 | $4.00 | +0.0% |
| 2008 | $4.00 | +100.0% |
| 2007 | $2.00 | +100.0% |
| 2006 | $1.00 | +0.0% |
| 2005 | $1.00 | +0.0% |
| 2004 | $1.00 | +0.0% |
| 2003 | $1.00 | +0.0% |
| 2002 | $1.00 | +0.0% |
| 2001 | $1.00 | +0.0% |
| 2000 | $1.00 | — |
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025. Cerium oxide (CeO₂), 99% REO, Chinese export price
The most recent annual average we track is $1.50 per USD/kg for 2024. Live spot prices are shown on the Cerium live-price page.
down -25.0% — from $2.00 per USD/kg in 2023 to $1.50 per USD/kg in 2024.
down -25.0% — from $2.00 per USD/kg in 2019 to $1.50 per USD/kg in 2024.
down -50.0% — from $3.00 per USD/kg in 2014 to $1.50 per USD/kg in 2024.
Cerium is critical for glass polishing in semiconductor manufacturing and display technology, and for automotive emission control catalysts. Demand is driven primarily by Glass polishing compounds for optics and screens, Automotive catalytic converter washcoats, UV-blocking glass additives. Supply is concentrated in China, Australia, United States, so output disruptions or trade-policy shifts in those countries are the main long-run drivers of Cerium prices.
The highest annual average cerium price in our recorded series was $40 per USD/kg in 2011.
U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025. Cerium oxide (CeO₂), 99% REO, Chinese export price