Year-by-year annual average price for yttrium in USD/kg, sourced from U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025. Yttrium oxide (Y₂O₃), 99% REO, Chinese export price.
Yttrium is essential for LED lighting, solid oxide fuel cells, and high-performance aerospace alloys. The U.S. is heavily dependent on Chinese imports. Demand is driven primarily by White LED phosphors for lighting, Yttrium-aluminum-garnet (YAG) lasers, Fuel cell electrolytes (yttria-stabilized zirconia). 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 Yttrium prices.
Yttrium prices fell -11.1% from 2023's $9.00 per USD/kg to $8.00 per USD/kg in 2024.
Yttrium prices fell -10.0% from 2022's $10 per USD/kg to $9.00 per USD/kg in 2023.
Yttrium prices rose +25.0% from 2021's $8.00 per USD/kg to $10 per USD/kg in 2022. That was the highest 2022 reading in 7 years.
Yttrium prices rose +14.3% from 2020's $7.00 per USD/kg to $8.00 per USD/kg in 2021. That was the highest 2021 reading in 5 years.
Yttrium prices held roughly steady at $7.00 per USD/kg (2019 average: $7.00) 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 | $8.00 | -11.1% |
| 2023 | $9.00 | -10.0% |
| 2022 | $10 | +25.0% |
| 2021 | $8.00 | +14.3% |
| 2020 | $7.00 | +0.0% |
| 2019 | $7.00 | -6.7% |
| 2018 | $7.50 | +15.4% |
| 2017 | $6.50 | +8.3% |
| 2016 | $6.00 | -25.0% |
| 2015 | $8.00 | -20.0% |
| 2014 | $10 | -44.4% |
| 2013 | $18 | -70.0% |
| 2012 | $60 | -66.7% |
| 2011 | $180 | +800.0% |
| 2010 | $20 | +66.7% |
| 2009 | $12 | -14.3% |
| 2008 | $14 | +40.0% |
| 2007 | $10 | +25.0% |
| 2006 | $8.00 | +14.3% |
| 2005 | $7.00 | +16.7% |
| 2004 | $6.00 | +20.0% |
| 2003 | $5.00 | +0.0% |
| 2002 | $5.00 | -16.7% |
| 2001 | $6.00 | -14.3% |
| 2000 | $7.00 | — |
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025. Yttrium oxide (Y₂O₃), 99% REO, Chinese export price
The most recent annual average we track is $8.00 per USD/kg for 2024. Live spot prices are shown on the Yttrium live-price page.
down -11.1% — from $9.00 per USD/kg in 2023 to $8.00 per USD/kg in 2024.
up +14.3% — from $7.00 per USD/kg in 2019 to $8.00 per USD/kg in 2024.
down -20.0% — from $10 per USD/kg in 2014 to $8.00 per USD/kg in 2024.
Yttrium is essential for LED lighting, solid oxide fuel cells, and high-performance aerospace alloys. The U.S. is heavily dependent on Chinese imports. Demand is driven primarily by White LED phosphors for lighting, Yttrium-aluminum-garnet (YAG) lasers, Fuel cell electrolytes (yttria-stabilized zirconia). 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 Yttrium prices.
The highest annual average yttrium price in our recorded series was $180 per USD/kg in 2011.
U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025. Yttrium oxide (Y₂O₃), 99% REO, Chinese export price