Year-by-year annual average price for lanthanum in USD/kg, sourced from U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025. Lanthanum oxide (La₂O₃), 99% REO, Chinese export price.
← Back to live lanthanum price
Lanthanum is essential for petroleum refining and hybrid vehicle batteries. China's dominant production position makes it a strategic supply vulnerability. Demand is driven primarily by Fluid catalytic cracking catalysts for petroleum refining, Optical glass and camera lenses, Nickel-metal hydride battery anodes. 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 Lanthanum prices.
Lanthanum prices fell -33.3% from 2023's $3.00 per USD/kg to $2.00 per USD/kg in 2024.
Lanthanum prices fell -25.0% from 2022's $4.00 per USD/kg to $3.00 per USD/kg in 2023.
Lanthanum 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 7 years.
Lanthanum 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 5 years.
Lanthanum 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 | $2.00 | -33.3% |
| 2023 | $3.00 | -25.0% |
| 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 | -33.3% |
| 2015 | $3.00 | -25.0% |
| 2014 | $4.00 | -50.0% |
| 2013 | $8.00 | -60.0% |
| 2012 | $20 | -60.0% |
| 2011 | $50 | +400.0% |
| 2010 | $10 | +100.0% |
| 2009 | $5.00 | +0.0% |
| 2008 | $5.00 | +66.7% |
| 2007 | $3.00 | +50.0% |
| 2006 | $2.00 | +0.0% |
| 2005 | $2.00 | +0.0% |
| 2004 | $2.00 | +0.0% |
| 2003 | $2.00 | +0.0% |
| 2002 | $2.00 | +0.0% |
| 2001 | $2.00 | +0.0% |
| 2000 | $2.00 | — |
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025. Lanthanum oxide (La₂O₃), 99% REO, Chinese export price
The most recent annual average we track is $2.00 per USD/kg for 2024. Live spot prices are shown on the Lanthanum live-price page.
down -33.3% — from $3.00 per USD/kg in 2023 to $2.00 per USD/kg in 2024.
up +0.0% — from $2.00 per USD/kg in 2019 to $2.00 per USD/kg in 2024.
down -50.0% — from $4.00 per USD/kg in 2014 to $2.00 per USD/kg in 2024.
Lanthanum is essential for petroleum refining and hybrid vehicle batteries. China's dominant production position makes it a strategic supply vulnerability. Demand is driven primarily by Fluid catalytic cracking catalysts for petroleum refining, Optical glass and camera lenses, Nickel-metal hydride battery anodes. 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 Lanthanum prices.
The highest annual average lanthanum price in our recorded series was $50 per USD/kg in 2011.
U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025. Lanthanum oxide (La₂O₃), 99% REO, Chinese export price