Year-by-year annual average price for erbium in USD/kg, sourced from U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025. Erbium oxide (Er₂O₃), 99% REO, Chinese export price.
Erbium-doped fiber amplifiers underpin the global internet backbone, making erbium essential to digital communications infrastructure. Demand is driven primarily by Erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFA) for internet infrastructure, Medical and dental lasers, Neutron-absorbing nuclear alloys. 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 Erbium prices.
Erbium prices fell -3.6% from 2023's $28 per USD/kg to $27 per USD/kg in 2024. That was the lowest 2024 reading in 19 years.
Erbium prices fell -12.5% from 2022's $32 per USD/kg to $28 per USD/kg in 2023.
Erbium prices rose +6.7% from 2021's $30 per USD/kg to $32 per USD/kg in 2022. That was the highest 2022 reading in 6 years.
Erbium prices rose +7.1% from 2020's $28 per USD/kg to $30 per USD/kg in 2021.
Erbium prices held roughly steady at $28 per USD/kg (2019 average: $28) 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 | $27 | -3.6% |
| 2023 | $28 | -12.5% |
| 2022 | $32 | +6.7% |
| 2021 | $30 | +7.1% |
| 2020 | $28 | +0.0% |
| 2019 | $28 | -6.7% |
| 2018 | $30 | +7.1% |
| 2017 | $28 | +0.0% |
| 2016 | $28 | -44.0% |
| 2015 | $50 | -50.0% |
| 2014 | $100 | -50.0% |
| 2013 | $200 | -66.7% |
| 2012 | $600 | -40.0% |
| 2011 | $1,000 | +1150.0% |
| 2010 | $80 | +23.1% |
| 2009 | $65 | -7.1% |
| 2008 | $70 | +40.0% |
| 2007 | $50 | +31.6% |
| 2006 | $38 | +26.7% |
| 2005 | $30 | +20.0% |
| 2004 | $25 | +25.0% |
| 2003 | $20 | +11.1% |
| 2002 | $18 | +0.0% |
| 2001 | $18 | -10.0% |
| 2000 | $20 | — |
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025. Erbium oxide (Er₂O₃), 99% REO, Chinese export price
The most recent annual average we track is $27 per USD/kg for 2024. Live spot prices are shown on the Erbium live-price page.
down -3.6% — from $28 per USD/kg in 2023 to $27 per USD/kg in 2024.
down -3.6% — from $28 per USD/kg in 2019 to $27 per USD/kg in 2024.
down -73.0% — from $100 per USD/kg in 2014 to $27 per USD/kg in 2024.
Erbium-doped fiber amplifiers underpin the global internet backbone, making erbium essential to digital communications infrastructure. Demand is driven primarily by Erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFA) for internet infrastructure, Medical and dental lasers, Neutron-absorbing nuclear alloys. 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 Erbium prices.
The highest annual average erbium price in our recorded series was $1,000 per USD/kg in 2011.
U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025. Erbium oxide (Er₂O₃), 99% REO, Chinese export price