Price-Watch™ provides price assessments for Erbium Oxide across top trading regions:
Asia-Pacific
- Erbium Oxide 99.5% min FOB Shanghai
- Erbium Oxide 99.5% min EXW China
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.
Erbium Oxide Price Trend Q1 2026
China remains the largest producer and provider of erbium oxide around the globe. In Q1 2026, demand for erbium oxide has been bolstered by recovering demand from fiber optics, photonics, and specialty alloys. Demand for erbium-doped fibre amplifiers (EDFAs) has increased once again due to continued growth in the telecommunications industry through the extensive expansion of data transmission capabilities.
The rebounding demand from specialty alloys is being supported by applications in the nuclear power and aerospace sectors. The Chinese supply chain remained disciplined throughout the Q1 of 2026 as limited production increases have been unable to completely fulfil the growing level of demand from the aforementioned industries. As a result of the continued growth in demand and the limited ability of the Chinese supply chain to meet that demand, price pressure has been continuing to rise in this market as supply became tight.
Following the transition from Q4 2025, many buyers entered the marketplace with very low inventory levels that led to active restocking activity in Q1 2026. Strong levels of exports to Japan, South Korea, and Europe resulting in a further tightening of the supply of erbium oxide. Since China is the sole pricing hub for erbium oxide, the market conditions in China directly affected the global pricing of erbium oxide. Overall, the erbium oxide market experienced continued upward movement in Q1 2026 as demand has been recovering, inventory has been low, and supply has continued to be controlled.
China: Erbium Oxide Export prices FOB Shanghai, China; Grade- Purity:99.99%min
According to Price-Watch™, in Q1 2026, the erbium oxide price trend in China showed an upward movement, with prices rising by 4.22% compared to Q4 2025, supported by recovering demand and controlled production under quota regulations. Erbium oxide, widely used in fibre optics, laser systems, and specialty alloys, saw increased demand from telecommunications and photonics sectors as investment in high-speed data infrastructure grew.
Chinese producers maintained disciplined output, preventing excess supply despite inventory carryover from Q4 2025. Demand also improved from alloy manufacturers in nuclear and aerospace sectors, contributing to steady procurement activity. Export demand from Japan, South Korea, and Europe further supported prices, as buyers secured supply amid concerns over future quota limits.
Stable energy costs limited additional cost-driven price pressure. In March 2026, erbium oxide prices in China rose by 8.45%, marking the strongest monthly gain of the quarter and reflecting tight availability and active spot buying. Overall, the erbium oxide market in China maintained a firm upward trend in Q1 2026, driven by demand recovery and disciplined supply.
