Price-Watch™ provides price assessments for Molybdenum oxide across top trading regions:
Asia-Pacific
- Molybdenum Oxide 57% min CIF Shanghai (Chile), China
- Molybdenum Oxide 57% min CIF Nhava Sheva (Chile), India
- Molybdenum Oxide 57% min CIF Busan (Chile), South Korea
Europe
- Molybdenum Oxide 57% min Ex-Warehouse Rotterdam, The Netherlands
South America
- Molybdenum Oxide 57% min FOB San Antonio, Chile
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.
Molybdenum Oxide Price Trend Q1 2026
In Q1 2026, the molybdenum oxide price trend has been on an upward direction, with increases in pricing across the region of Chile, China, South Korea, India and the Netherlands when comparing against the previous quarter of Q4 2025. A number of things drove the molybdenum oxide marketplace during this time, including supply constraint issues; a combination of strong demand recovery from the industrial sector; and aggressive pricing transmission by producers to import-dependent regions.
China is the largest producer and consumer of molybdenum oxide, and its strong demand for the product contributed to a price increase associated with significant steel production, and low inventory levels leading to aggressive purchasing by Chinese companies, while also creating tighter supplies in the marketplace. In addition, Chile, where a significant quantity of molybdenum oxide is produced, also experienced supply disruptions due to labour issues and weather-related problems that hampered export availability during this peak period of demand.
In addition, imported-dependent markets from South Korea, India and the Netherlands also experienced higher prices as a result of increased source costs, higher freight rates, and strong demand from the steel, shipbuilding, energy and chemical industries. The change from Q4 2025 to Q1 2026 has been characterized by a rapid recovery in industrial activity with demand for molybdenum oxide exceeding supply levels.
In addition to this, precautionary buying drove further acceleration of price increases across all market regions. Overall, the molybdenum oxide industry showed a substantial upward trend in Q1 2026, as the result of significant demand, supply disruptions, and increased global trade costs.
Chile: Molybdenum Oxide Export prices FOB San Antonio, Chile; Grade- Purity:57%min.
In Q1 2026, Molybdenum Oxide prices in Chile increased by approximately 8.94% compared with Q4 2025, supported by strong global demand and tightening export availability. The Molybdenum Oxide price trend in Chile remained firmly upward throughout the quarter, as production disruptions linked to labour issues and seasonal rainfall affected output from copper mining operations, limiting supply in export markets.
At the same time, rising steel production and alloy manufacturing activity strengthened procurement demand, particularly from energy, petrochemical, and aerospace sectors. Strong buying interest from Asian markets, especially China and South Korea, further reinforced export momentum and pricing strength.
Supply-side constraints combined with healthy downstream consumption continued to support bullish market sentiment. In March 2026, Molybdenum Oxide prices in Chile rose by around 4.18% month-on-month, reflecting sustained procurement activity and continued market firmness.
South Korea: Molybdenum Oxide Import prices CIF Busan from Chile; Grade- Purity:57%min.
In Q1 2026, Molybdenum Oxide prices in South Korea increased by approximately 12.00% compared with Q4 2025, reflecting strong upward momentum driven by elevated import costs and robust domestic demand. The Molybdenum Oxide price trend in South Korea remained firmly bullish throughout the quarter, as rising prices in major supplier markets such as China and Chile significantly increased landed costs for importers.
Demand from steel and alloy manufacturers strengthened notably across automotive, shipbuilding, and heavy engineering sectors following inventory replenishment after lean stock levels in late 2025. Tight global supply chains, higher freight expenses, and supportive commodity market sentiment further reinforced upward pricing pressure.
Currency fluctuations also contributed to firmer import pricing during the quarter. In March 2026, Molybdenum Oxide prices in South Korea rose by around 6.07% month-on-month, supported by continued industrial demand and sustained market tightness.
India: Molybdenum Oxide Import prices CIF Nhava Sheva from Chile; Grade- Purity:57%min.
In Q1 2026, Molybdenum Oxide prices in India increased sharply by approximately 12.75% compared with Q4 2025, driven by strong domestic demand and rising import costs. The Molybdenum Oxide price trend in India remained firmly upward throughout the quarter, as the country’s import-dependent market structure amplified the impact of the global price rally.
Demand from the steel sector stayed robust, supported by ongoing infrastructure and construction activity, which strengthened procurement for structural steels and specialty alloys. Buyers also engaged in precautionary stockpiling amid expectations of further price increases, adding momentum to market activity.
The depreciation of the Indian Rupee against the US Dollar further intensified domestic pricing pressure by increasing landed import costs. In March 2026, Molybdenum Oxide prices in India rose by around 7.75% month-on-month, reflecting strong quarter-end demand and active inventory rebuilding.
Netherlands: Molybdenum Oxide Ex-Warehouse Rotterdam; Grade- Purity:57%min.
In Q1 2026, Molybdenum Oxide prices in the Netherlands increased by approximately 12.62% compared with Q4 2025, supported by strong global price transmission and improving regional demand. The Molybdenum Oxide price trend in the Netherlands remained firmly upward throughout the quarter, as higher replacement costs from key supplier markets such as China, Chile, and North America significantly influenced European pricing.
Steel and alloy manufacturers across the region faced elevated procurement expenses, further intensified by higher freight rates and extended lead times. Demand from energy, automotive, and chemical sectors improved as European manufacturing activity gradually recovered following a weaker Q4 2025.
Traders also engaged in forward purchasing amid expectations of further increases, tightening spot availability in the local market. In March 2026, Molybdenum Oxide prices in the Netherlands rose by around 6.25% month-on-month, reflecting sustained buying momentum and ongoing logistical pressure.
China: Molybdenum Oxide Import prices CIF Shanghai from Chile; Grade- Purity:57%min.
According to Price-Watch™, in the first quarter of 2026, molybdenum oxide prices significantly went up in China by about 12.84% over the previous quarter due to strong steel production, combined with a limited supply and a general recovery in industrial demand overall.
Throughout the quarter, the price trend of molybdenum oxide in China has been bullish as an increase in steel mill production of high-strength and stainless steel products strongly supported the demand for molybdenum oxide, thus increasing the purchasing activity of steel mills as much of the construction and infrastructure sectors continued to improve.
In addition, at the start of the quarter, many of the buyers had low inventories, therefore they increased their buying activity to try to obtain molybdenum oxide before the market’s supply got restricted.
From the supply side, producers continued to run their operations at disciplined levels as required by environmental regulations and production limits, thus preventing excess amounts of molybdenum oxide from entering the market even when prices have been at high levels.
Increased shipping costs have also a detriment to importing molybdenum oxide, thus creating more support for domestic pricing. The month of March saw a 7.03% increase in the price of molybdenum oxide in China compared to February 2026 as a result of ongoing demand and continued tight supply levels leading into the end of the quarter.




