Price-Watch™ provides price assessments for Cerium Oxide across top trading regions:
Asia-Pacific
- Cerium Oxide 99.99% min FOB Shanghai
- Cerium Oxide 99.99% min EXW China
Europe
- Cerium Oxide 99.99% min Ex-Warehouse Rotterdam
Note: In assessments structured as CIF [Importing Port] (Exporting Country), the country mentioned in brackets indicates the primary origin of supply (exporting country), while the named port refers to the destination port in the importing country. Other Incoterms (FOB, FD, EXW, etc.) should be interpreted in accordance with standard international trade definitions.
Cerium Oxide Price Trend Q1 2026
The global cerium oxide market showed an increasing trend for prices in Q1 2026 with increases in both China (the world’s largest producer) and the Netherlands relative to Q4 2025 due primarily to higher downstream demand and limited supply after a weak previous quarter. As the largest producer of cerium oxide, China played a major role in pushing up cerium prices globally as they have set restrictive production quotas that limit the amount of cerium oxide on the market, restricting the amount available in the spot market.
Demand from polishing powder, optical glass manufacturing, and automotive catalytic converters has risen as production picks back up after a slowdown in Q4. In addition to cerium prices rising due to the higher export prices from China to the Netherlands, the limited amount of cerium available for import to the Netherlands has further added to upward price pressure on cerium in the Netherlands. The long lead times now facing buyers trying to procure cerium oxide have also driven up price by forcing buyers to pay more to secure cerium.
Additionally, the tighter supply coming from buyers restocking their inventories is further constraining supply of cerium. Policy signals from Beijing indicating consolidation of critical mineral supply chains have also encouraged buyers to act to secure cerium prior to any potential future disruptions. Overall, the global cerium oxide market continued its trend of increasing prices throughout Q1 2026, driven primarily by recovering demand and constrained supplies, but also supported by strategically purchasing cerium oxide by a large number of buyers across all geographies.
China: Cerium Oxide Export prices FOB Shanghai, China; Grade- Purity:99.99%min.
According to Price-Watch™ , in Q1 2026, Cerium Oxide prices in China increased by approximately 10.13% compared with Q4 2025, supported by recovering demand and tighter supply conditions across the rare earth market. The Cerium Oxide price trend in China remained strongly upward throughout the quarter, driven by renewed procurement from polishing powder and glass manufacturing sectors following inventory drawdowns in late 2025.
Demand from optical glass polishing and automotive catalytic converter applications strengthened further as automotive and industrial production activity improved. On the supply side, government-enforced mining quotas and controlled producer output restricted surplus availability, reinforcing market firmness. Policy discussions surrounding critical mineral supply chain consolidation also encouraged precautionary buying activity among downstream consumers. In March 2026, Cerium Oxide prices in China surged by around 10.56% month-on-month, supported by strong demand momentum, tighter export availability, and elevated logistics costs.
Netherlands: Cerium Oxide Domestically Traded Prices Ex-Warehouse Rotterdam, Netherlands; Grade- Purity:99.99%min.
In Q1 2026, Cerium Oxide prices in the Netherlands increased by approximately 1.20% compared with Q4 2025, reflecting steadily firming import-driven market conditions. The Cerium Oxide price trend in the Netherlands remained moderately upward, supported mainly by higher source-market prices from China, the dominant global supplier. Demand from specialty glass, automotive catalyst, and advanced ceramics sectors improved gradually as European buyers resumed procurement following cautious inventory management in late 2025.
This recovery in purchasing activity tightened local availability and supported firmer pricing across the quarter. Longer lead times, higher freight charges, and rising insurance costs further increased landed import values, although diversified sourcing arrangements and existing contracts helped limit sharper volatility. In March 2026, Cerium Oxide prices in the Netherlands rose by around 4.04% month-on-month, driven by tighter supply conditions and improving downstream consumption.

