Year-by-year annual average price for lutetium in USD/kg, sourced from U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025. Lutetium oxide (Lu₂O₃), 99% REO, Chinese export price.
Lutetium is critical for modern PET scanning diagnostics and is emerging as a key material in next-generation medical treatments and batteries. Demand is driven primarily by PET scanner detectors (lutetium oxyorthosilicate), Petroleum refining catalysts, Cancer treatment radiopharmaceuticals. Supply is concentrated in China, United States, Australia, so output disruptions or trade-policy shifts in those countries are the main long-run drivers of Lutetium prices.
Lutetium prices held roughly steady at $975 per USD/kg (2023 average: $975) in 2024.
Lutetium prices fell -2.5% from 2022's $1,000 per USD/kg to $975 per USD/kg in 2023.
Lutetium prices rose +3.1% from 2021's $970 per USD/kg to $1,000 per USD/kg in 2022. That was the highest 2022 reading in 6 years.
Lutetium prices rose +3.2% from 2020's $940 per USD/kg to $970 per USD/kg in 2021. That was the highest 2021 reading in 5 years.
Lutetium prices held roughly steady at $940 per USD/kg (2019 average: $940) 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 | $975 | +0.0% |
| 2023 | $975 | -2.5% |
| 2022 | $1,000 | +3.1% |
| 2021 | $970 | +3.2% |
| 2020 | $940 | +0.0% |
| 2019 | $940 | -2.1% |
| 2018 | $960 | +4.3% |
| 2017 | $920 | +2.2% |
| 2016 | $900 | -18.2% |
| 2015 | $1,100 | -21.4% |
| 2014 | $1,400 | -30.0% |
| 2013 | $2,000 | -42.9% |
| 2012 | $3,500 | -30.0% |
| 2011 | $5,000 | +316.7% |
| 2010 | $1,200 | +9.1% |
| 2009 | $1,100 | +0.0% |
| 2008 | $1,100 | +15.8% |
| 2007 | $950 | +11.8% |
| 2006 | $850 | +6.3% |
| 2005 | $800 | +6.7% |
| 2004 | $750 | +7.1% |
| 2003 | $700 | +2.9% |
| 2002 | $680 | +0.0% |
| 2001 | $680 | -2.9% |
| 2000 | $700 | — |
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025. Lutetium oxide (Lu₂O₃), 99% REO, Chinese export price
The most recent annual average we track is $975 per USD/kg for 2024. Live spot prices are shown on the Lutetium live-price page.
up +0.0% — from $975 per USD/kg in 2023 to $975 per USD/kg in 2024.
up +3.7% — from $940 per USD/kg in 2019 to $975 per USD/kg in 2024.
down -30.4% — from $1,400 per USD/kg in 2014 to $975 per USD/kg in 2024.
Lutetium is critical for modern PET scanning diagnostics and is emerging as a key material in next-generation medical treatments and batteries. Demand is driven primarily by PET scanner detectors (lutetium oxyorthosilicate), Petroleum refining catalysts, Cancer treatment radiopharmaceuticals. Supply is concentrated in China, United States, Australia, so output disruptions or trade-policy shifts in those countries are the main long-run drivers of Lutetium prices.
The highest annual average lutetium price in our recorded series was $5,000 per USD/kg in 2011.
U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025. Lutetium oxide (Lu₂O₃), 99% REO, Chinese export price