Year-by-year annual average price for ytterbium in USD/kg, sourced from U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025. Ytterbium oxide (Yb₂O₃), 99% REO, Chinese export price.
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Ytterbium fiber lasers are transforming precision manufacturing. Its use in next-generation atomic clocks for GPS and communications makes it strategically important. Demand is driven primarily by High-power Yb-doped fiber lasers for manufacturing, Atomic clocks and precision timing, Stress gauges and geological sensors. 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 Ytterbium prices.
Ytterbium prices held roughly steady at $15 per USD/kg (2023 average: $15) in 2024.
Ytterbium prices fell -6.3% from 2022's $16 per USD/kg to $15 per USD/kg in 2023.
Ytterbium prices rose +14.3% from 2021's $14 per USD/kg to $16 per USD/kg in 2022. That was the highest 2022 reading in 7 years.
Ytterbium prices rose +7.7% from 2020's $13 per USD/kg to $14 per USD/kg in 2021. That was the highest 2021 reading in 6 years.
Ytterbium prices rose +8.3% from 2019's $12 per USD/kg to $13 per USD/kg in 2020. That was the highest 2020 reading in 5 years.
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 | $15 | +0.0% |
| 2023 | $15 | -6.3% |
| 2022 | $16 | +14.3% |
| 2021 | $14 | +7.7% |
| 2020 | $13 | +8.3% |
| 2019 | $12 | +0.0% |
| 2018 | $12 | +20.0% |
| 2017 | $10 | +25.0% |
| 2016 | $8.00 | -33.3% |
| 2015 | $12 | -33.3% |
| 2014 | $18 | -55.0% |
| 2013 | $40 | -73.3% |
| 2012 | $150 | -46.4% |
| 2011 | $280 | +1172.7% |
| 2010 | $22 | +22.2% |
| 2009 | $18 | -10.0% |
| 2008 | $20 | +42.9% |
| 2007 | $14 | +27.3% |
| 2006 | $11 | +22.2% |
| 2005 | $9.00 | +12.5% |
| 2004 | $8.00 | +14.3% |
| 2003 | $7.00 | +0.0% |
| 2002 | $7.00 | +0.0% |
| 2001 | $7.00 | -12.5% |
| 2000 | $8.00 | — |
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025. Ytterbium oxide (Yb₂O₃), 99% REO, Chinese export price
The most recent annual average we track is $15 per USD/kg for 2024. Live spot prices are shown on the Ytterbium live-price page.
up +0.0% — from $15 per USD/kg in 2023 to $15 per USD/kg in 2024.
up +25.0% — from $12 per USD/kg in 2019 to $15 per USD/kg in 2024.
down -16.7% — from $18 per USD/kg in 2014 to $15 per USD/kg in 2024.
Ytterbium fiber lasers are transforming precision manufacturing. Its use in next-generation atomic clocks for GPS and communications makes it strategically important. Demand is driven primarily by High-power Yb-doped fiber lasers for manufacturing, Atomic clocks and precision timing, Stress gauges and geological sensors. 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 Ytterbium prices.
The highest annual average ytterbium price in our recorded series was $280 per USD/kg in 2011.
U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025. Ytterbium oxide (Yb₂O₃), 99% REO, Chinese export price