Year-by-year annual average price for niobium in USD/kg Nb, sourced from U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025. Ferroniobium, 65-67% Nb; Brazil (CBMM) controls ~90% of global supply.
Niobium is essential for modern high-strength steel used in fuel-efficient vehicles and infrastructure. Brazil's near-monopoly on production creates supply concentration risk. Demand is driven primarily by High-strength low-alloy steel for construction and pipelines, Superalloys for jet engines, Superconducting magnets for MRI and particle accelerators. Supply is concentrated in Brazil, Canada, Australia, so output disruptions or trade-policy shifts in those countries are the main long-run drivers of Niobium prices.
Niobium prices held roughly steady at $42 per USD/kg Nb (2023 average: $42) in 2024.
Niobium prices held roughly steady at $42 per USD/kg Nb (2022 average: $42) in 2023.
Niobium prices rose +10.5% from 2021's $38 per USD/kg Nb to $42 per USD/kg Nb in 2022. That was the highest 2022 reading in 10 years.
Niobium prices rose +5.6% from 2020's $36 per USD/kg Nb to $38 per USD/kg Nb in 2021.
Niobium prices fell -5.3% from 2019's $38 per USD/kg Nb to $36 per USD/kg Nb 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 Nb) | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $42 | +0.0% |
| 2023 | $42 | +0.0% |
| 2022 | $42 | +10.5% |
| 2021 | $38 | +5.6% |
| 2020 | $36 | -5.3% |
| 2019 | $38 | +0.0% |
| 2018 | $38 | +8.6% |
| 2017 | $35 | +2.9% |
| 2016 | $34 | -5.6% |
| 2015 | $36 | -5.3% |
| 2014 | $38 | +0.0% |
| 2013 | $38 | -5.0% |
| 2012 | $40 | -4.8% |
| 2011 | $42 | +20.0% |
| 2010 | $35 | +16.7% |
| 2009 | $30 | -21.1% |
| 2008 | $38 | +26.7% |
| 2007 | $30 | +7.1% |
| 2006 | $28 | +7.7% |
| 2005 | $26 | +8.3% |
| 2004 | $24 | +14.3% |
| 2003 | $21 | +5.0% |
| 2002 | $20 | +0.0% |
| 2001 | $20 | -9.1% |
| 2000 | $22 | — |
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025. Ferroniobium, 65-67% Nb; Brazil (CBMM) controls ~90% of global supply
The most recent annual average we track is $42 per USD/kg Nb for 2024. Live spot prices are shown on the Niobium live-price page.
up +0.0% — from $42 per USD/kg Nb in 2023 to $42 per USD/kg Nb in 2024.
up +10.5% — from $38 per USD/kg Nb in 2019 to $42 per USD/kg Nb in 2024.
up +10.5% — from $38 per USD/kg Nb in 2014 to $42 per USD/kg Nb in 2024.
Niobium is essential for modern high-strength steel used in fuel-efficient vehicles and infrastructure. Brazil's near-monopoly on production creates supply concentration risk. Demand is driven primarily by High-strength low-alloy steel for construction and pipelines, Superalloys for jet engines, Superconducting magnets for MRI and particle accelerators. Supply is concentrated in Brazil, Canada, Australia, so output disruptions or trade-policy shifts in those countries are the main long-run drivers of Niobium prices.
The highest annual average niobium price in our recorded series was $42 per USD/kg Nb in 2011.
U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025. Ferroniobium, 65-67% Nb; Brazil (CBMM) controls ~90% of global supply