Year-by-year annual average price for tellurium in USD/kg, sourced from U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025. Tellurium metal (99.99%+), byproduct of copper refining.
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Tellurium is critical for CdTe solar panels and thermoelectric devices. Its extreme rarity (rarer than gold) and complete dependence on copper refining by-product supply creates strategic risk. Demand is driven primarily by Cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin-film solar panels, Thermoelectric cooling and power generation, Bismuth telluride thermoelectrics. Supply is concentrated in China, Japan, Russia, so output disruptions or trade-policy shifts in those countries are the main long-run drivers of Tellurium prices.
Tellurium prices held roughly steady at $67 per USD/kg (2023 average: $67) in 2024.
Tellurium prices fell -4.3% from 2022's $70 per USD/kg to $67 per USD/kg in 2023.
Tellurium prices rose +7.7% from 2021's $65 per USD/kg to $70 per USD/kg in 2022. That was the highest 2022 reading in 9 years.
Tellurium prices rose +12.1% from 2020's $58 per USD/kg to $65 per USD/kg in 2021. That was the highest 2021 reading in 8 years.
Tellurium prices fell -3.3% from 2019's $60 per USD/kg to $58 per USD/kg 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 | $67 | +0.0% |
| 2023 | $67 | -4.3% |
| 2022 | $70 | +7.7% |
| 2021 | $65 | +12.1% |
| 2020 | $58 | -3.3% |
| 2019 | $60 | +9.1% |
| 2018 | $55 | +22.2% |
| 2017 | $45 | +12.5% |
| 2016 | $40 | -27.3% |
| 2015 | $55 | +0.0% |
| 2014 | $55 | -8.3% |
| 2013 | $60 | -66.7% |
| 2012 | $180 | -60.0% |
| 2011 | $450 | +400.0% |
| 2010 | $90 | +50.0% |
| 2009 | $60 | -45.5% |
| 2008 | $110 | +83.3% |
| 2007 | $60 | +71.4% |
| 2006 | $35 | +40.0% |
| 2005 | $25 | +108.3% |
| 2004 | $12 | +20.0% |
| 2003 | $10 | +25.0% |
| 2002 | $8.00 | -20.0% |
| 2001 | $10 | -28.6% |
| 2000 | $14 | — |
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025. Tellurium metal (99.99%+), byproduct of copper refining
The most recent annual average we track is $67 per USD/kg for 2024. Live spot prices are shown on the Tellurium live-price page.
up +0.0% — from $67 per USD/kg in 2023 to $67 per USD/kg in 2024.
up +11.7% — from $60 per USD/kg in 2019 to $67 per USD/kg in 2024.
up +21.8% — from $55 per USD/kg in 2014 to $67 per USD/kg in 2024.
Tellurium is critical for CdTe solar panels and thermoelectric devices. Its extreme rarity (rarer than gold) and complete dependence on copper refining by-product supply creates strategic risk. Demand is driven primarily by Cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin-film solar panels, Thermoelectric cooling and power generation, Bismuth telluride thermoelectrics. Supply is concentrated in China, Japan, Russia, so output disruptions or trade-policy shifts in those countries are the main long-run drivers of Tellurium prices.
The highest annual average tellurium price in our recorded series was $450 per USD/kg in 2011.
U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025. Tellurium metal (99.99%+), byproduct of copper refining