Year-by-year annual average price for zirconium in USD/metric ton, sourced from U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025. Zircon sand (ZrSiO₄); nuclear-grade zirconium metal is significantly higher.
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Zirconium is essential for nuclear power generation — every light water reactor requires zirconium alloy fuel cladding. Zirconia ceramics are also critical for advanced dental applications. Demand is driven primarily by Nuclear reactor fuel rod cladding (zircaloy), Dental and medical implants (zirconia), Advanced ceramics and refractory materials. Supply is concentrated in Australia, South Africa, China, so output disruptions or trade-policy shifts in those countries are the main long-run drivers of Zirconium prices.
Zirconium prices held roughly steady at $1,400 per USD/metric ton (2023 average: $1,400) in 2024.
Zirconium prices fell -6.7% from 2022's $1,500 per USD/metric ton to $1,400 per USD/metric ton in 2023.
Zirconium prices rose +7.1% from 2021's $1,400 per USD/metric ton to $1,500 per USD/metric ton in 2022. That was the highest 2022 reading in 8 years.
Zirconium prices rose +7.7% from 2020's $1,300 per USD/metric ton to $1,400 per USD/metric ton in 2021. That was the highest 2021 reading in 7 years.
Zirconium prices fell -3.7% from 2019's $1,350 per USD/metric ton to $1,300 per USD/metric ton 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/metric ton) | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,400 | +0.0% |
| 2023 | $1,400 | -6.7% |
| 2022 | $1,500 | +7.1% |
| 2021 | $1,400 | +7.7% |
| 2020 | $1,300 | -3.7% |
| 2019 | $1,350 | +0.0% |
| 2018 | $1,350 | +35.0% |
| 2017 | $1,000 | +11.1% |
| 2016 | $900 | -8.2% |
| 2015 | $980 | -18.3% |
| 2014 | $1,200 | -33.3% |
| 2013 | $1,800 | -21.7% |
| 2012 | $2,300 | -11.5% |
| 2011 | $2,600 | +300.0% |
| 2010 | $650 | +0.0% |
| 2009 | $650 | -23.5% |
| 2008 | $850 | +54.5% |
| 2007 | $550 | +10.0% |
| 2006 | $500 | +25.0% |
| 2005 | $400 | +33.3% |
| 2004 | $300 | +50.0% |
| 2003 | $200 | +8.1% |
| 2002 | $185 | +0.0% |
| 2001 | $185 | +0.0% |
| 2000 | $185 | — |
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025. Zircon sand (ZrSiO₄); nuclear-grade zirconium metal is significantly higher
The most recent annual average we track is $1,400 per USD/metric ton for 2024. Live spot prices are shown on the Zirconium live-price page.
up +0.0% — from $1,400 per USD/metric ton in 2023 to $1,400 per USD/metric ton in 2024.
up +3.7% — from $1,350 per USD/metric ton in 2019 to $1,400 per USD/metric ton in 2024.
up +16.7% — from $1,200 per USD/metric ton in 2014 to $1,400 per USD/metric ton in 2024.
Zirconium is essential for nuclear power generation — every light water reactor requires zirconium alloy fuel cladding. Zirconia ceramics are also critical for advanced dental applications. Demand is driven primarily by Nuclear reactor fuel rod cladding (zircaloy), Dental and medical implants (zirconia), Advanced ceramics and refractory materials. Supply is concentrated in Australia, South Africa, China, so output disruptions or trade-policy shifts in those countries are the main long-run drivers of Zirconium prices.
The highest annual average zirconium price in our recorded series was $2,600 per USD/metric ton in 2011.
U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025. Zircon sand (ZrSiO₄); nuclear-grade zirconium metal is significantly higher