Recently, the prices in the rare earth market have shown a complex fluctuating and adjusting trend, with distinct price divergences among different varieties, attracting the attention of numerous investors and industry practitioners. An in-depth analysis of the rare earth price changes during this period is of great significance for grasping the future development trend of the industry, guiding the production and operation of enterprises, and making investment decisions.

The price of praseodymium-neodymium oxide, a type of light rare earth, has risen sharply since August. However, in September, its price fell into fluctuation. On September 19, the domestic market price of praseodymium-neodymium oxide hovered between 570,000 and 572,000 yuan per ton, a week-on-week decrease of 0.87%. Nevertheless, from the beginning of the year to September, its price has still achieved a considerable overall increase. The quotation in September was roughly in the range of 650,000 to 700,000 yuan per ton, an increase of approximately 15% compared with the start of the year.

The sharp price surge in August was mainly attributed to the strong demand from downstream industries such as new energy vehicles and wind power. The vigorous development of the new energy vehicle market has led to a continuous rise in the demand for rare earth permanent magnet motors. As a key raw material for the production of permanent magnet materials, praseodymium-neodymium oxide has seen its price driven up by the robust demand. In addition, the tight raw material quotas of Northern Rare Earth have restricted the market supply to a certain extent, further pushing up the price under the influence of the imbalance between supply and demand.

Taking terbium oxide, a representative of medium and heavy rare earths, as an example, its price trend is also dramatic. On September 2, its average price reached 7,440 yuan per ton, a week-on-week increase of 5.7% and a year-on-year increase of 40.9%, maintaining a high level. However, by September 19, the price of terbium oxide was between 7.15 million and 7.2 million yuan per ton, remaining unchanged week-on-week.