For the Quarter Ending March 2026
Selenium Prices in North America
- In United States, the Selenium Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, driven by tightened copper concentrate supply.
- The Selenium Production Cost Trend increased in March 2026 as producer prices rose 4.0% year-over-year.
- The Selenium Price Index climbed in March 2026, supported by a 3.3% year-over-year consumer inflation rate.
- Industrial production grew 0.7% year-over-year in March 2026, constraining mining output and tightening byproduct selenium availability.
- The Selenium Demand Outlook strengthened in March 2026 as retail sales expanded 4.0% year-over-year, supporting electronics.
- A 4.3% unemployment rate in March 2026 sustained steady agricultural consumption, boosting baseline selenium demand.
- The Selenium Price Forecast remained elevated in March 2026 despite the consumer confidence index reaching 91.8.
- The Manufacturing Index expanded in March 2026, while data center infrastructure demand for selenium surged.
Why did the price of Selenium change in March 2026 in North America?
- Copper smelter treatment and refining charges plummeted to historic lows in January 2026, elevating costs.
- United States copper and byproduct inventories accumulated significantly due to tariff uncertainties in January 2026.
- Consumption of highly conductive metals in grid electrification and electric vehicles surged in Q1 2026.
Selenium Prices in APAC
- In China, the Selenium Price Index remained stable quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, reflecting balanced supply and moderate demand.
- Consumer prices rose 1.0% year-over-year in March 2026, supporting steady agricultural consumption for the Selenium Demand Outlook.
- Producer prices increased 0.5% year-over-year in March 2026, raising extraction costs for the Selenium Production Cost Trend.
- Industrial production grew 5.7% year-over-year in March 2026, driving moderate material demand in the electronics and glass sectors.
- Retail sales grew 1.7% and unemployment reached 5.4% in March 2026, limiting downstream consumer goods purchases.
- The Manufacturing Index expanded in March 2026, reflecting increased factory activity and raw material procurement across heavy industries.
- Copper concentrate refining charges plummeted to negative levels in Q1 2026, severely compressing margins for primary feedstock producers.
- The Selenium Price Forecast remained neutral in Q1 2026 as steady domestic production balanced the contracted feedstock supply.
Why did the price of Selenium change in March 2026 in APAC?
- Feedstock availability tightened as major domestic copper smelters initiated significant production cuts in Q1 2026.
- Downstream procurement slowed as preholiday restocking concluded, resulting in subdued industrial consumption in Q1 2026.
- Consistent import volumes supplemented domestic supply to meet moderate industrial consumption needs throughout Q1 2026.
Selenium Prices in Europe
- In Germany, the Selenium Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, driven by severe supply constraints.
- The Selenium Production Cost Trend increased in February 2026 as industrial electricity costs surged amid disruptions.
- A 2.7% CPI increase in March 2026 elevated extraction costs, supporting the upward Selenium Price Index.
- Despite a -0.2% PPI decline in March 2026, the Selenium Price Forecast remained elevated due to shortages.
- The Selenium Demand Outlook stabilized in Q1 2026 as European glass manufacturing applications recovered amid construction.
- A contracting Manufacturing Index in March 2026 negatively impacted industrial consumption of specialty additives across Germany.
- Stagnant 0.0% industrial production in February 2026 reduced architectural flat glass requirements, limiting domestic selenium consumption.
- A -2.0% retail sales decline, -24.7 consumer confidence, and 4.0% unemployment in March 2026 weakened downstream demand.
Why did the price of Selenium change in March 2026 in Europe?
- Global copper smelter output weakened in January 2026, severely constraining selenium feedstock availability in Germany.
- German natural gas and oil prices skyrocketed in February 2026, drastically increasing copper refining expenses.
- Refined byproduct materials were heavily diverted to the United States during Q1 2026, tightening supply.
For the Quarter Ending December 2025
Selenium Prices in North America
- In United States, the Selenium Price Index rose in Q4 2025, driven by increased industrial activity and rising production costs.
- Selenium production costs increased in Q4 2025, influenced by a 2.7% year-over-year CPI rise in December 2025.
- Demand for selenium strengthened in Q4 2025, supported by a 2.0% year-over-year industrial production increase in December 2025.
- Copper's critical designation in November 2025 impacted the selenium market due to its co-production and import concerns.
- Energy costs for selenium production climbed in Q4 2025, as electricity revenues per kilowatt-hour increased in November 2025.
- A 3.0% year-over-year PPI increase in November 2025 indicated rising input costs for downstream industries.
- Retail sales increased 3.3% year-over-year in November 2025, boosting selenium demand in consumer applications.
Why did the price of Selenium change in December 2025 in North America?
- Rising production costs, with 2.7% CPI increase in December 2025, pushed selenium prices.
- Increased industrial production, up 2.0% year-over-year in December 2025, boosted selenium demand.
- Higher electricity costs in November 2025 and 3.0% PPI rise increased operational expenses.
Selenium Prices in APAC
- In China, Selenium Price Index remained stable in Q4 2025, influenced by mixed market signals.
- Industrial production increased by 5.2% year-over-year in December 2025, supporting industrial demand for Selenium.
- The Manufacturing Index expanded in December 2025, indicating growth in key Selenium-consuming sectors.
- Producer Price Index declined 1.9% year-over-year in December 2025, pressuring industrial users.
- Consumer Price Index rose 0.8% year-over-year in December 2025, indicating subdued consumer spending.
- Consumer sentiment cooled in Q4 2025, indirectly dampening overall economic activity and consumer demand.
- Selenium production costs faced upward pressure in Q4 2025 due to intensified input price inflation.
- Domestic selenium inventories were adequately supplied in Q4 2025, supported by steady production.
- Weakened smartphone demand in Q4 2025 negatively impacted Selenium consumption in electronics.
- The assessed price of Selenium for Q4 was 26 USD/MT.
Why did the price of Selenium change in December 2025 in APAC?
- Weak consumer demand, with 0.8% CPI and 0.9% retail sales in December 2025, dampened Selenium demand.
- Intensified input price inflation in Q4 2025 exerted upward pressure on Selenium production costs.
- Adequate domestic inventories and steady imports in Q4 2025 helped stabilize the Selenium market.
Selenium Prices in Europe
- In Germany, the Selenium Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q4 2025, driven by global copper supply curtailments.
- Selenium production costs increased in 2025 due to elevated natural gas and electricity prices for German industries.
- The demand outlook for Selenium faced headwinds as Germany's Manufacturing Index contracted in December 2025.
- Industrial production in Germany expanded modestly by 0.8% year-on-year in October 2025, supporting some Selenium demand.
- The Producer Price Index in Germany fell by 2.5% year-on-year in December 2025, signaling industrial deflation.
- German exports remained strong in October 2025, bolstered by dynamic EU demand for manufactured goods.
- Stable consumer purchasing power was indicated by a 1.8% year-on-year CPI in December 2025 and 6.2% unemployment.
- Retail sales rose 1.1% year-on-year in November 2025, but consumer confidence declined in December, impacting demand.
Why did the price of Selenium change in December 2025 in Europe?
- Global copper concentrate supply curtailments in 2025 limited Selenium availability, supporting prices.
- Germany's Producer Price Index declined 2.5% year-on-year in December 2025, signaling weakening industrial demand.
- The Manufacturing Index for Germany contracted in December 2025, reflecting a slowdown in industrial activity.
For the Quarter Ending September 2025
North America
- In United States, the Selenium Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, due to rising costs and strong electronics demand.
- Selenium production costs increased in Q3 2025, influenced by higher natural gas and industrial electricity prices.
- Demand outlook for Selenium is positive, supported by rapid U.S. electronics production growth in August 2025.
- The Selenium Price Index is expected to remain firm, influenced by persistent cost pressures and sustained industrial demand.
- Inflationary pressures were evident with U.S. CPI up 3.0% in September 2025 and PPI up 2.6% in August 2025.
- Industrial production showed a marginal 0.1% year-over-year increase in September 2025, indicating slow manufacturing growth.
- Retail sales increased 5.42% in September 2025, and low unemployment at 4.3% supported consumer spending.
- Consumer confidence declined to 94.2 in September 2025, potentially impacting discretionary spending on end products.
Why did the price of Selenium change in September 2025 in North America?
- Rising production costs were driven by an uptick in U.S. natural gas prices during Q3 2025.
- Industrial electricity costs increased in August 2025, contributing to higher overall manufacturing expenses.
- Strong demand from the electronics sector, with rapid production growth in August 2025, supported Selenium prices.
APAC
- In China, the Selenium Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, driven by weak industrial demand.
- Selenium production costs were influenced by reduced refined copper output in July and September 2025.
- Industrial production expanded 6.5% year-on-year in September 2025, providing some demand support.
- Consumer confidence at 89.6 in September 2025 indicated pessimism, impacting consumer-facing applications.
- The Manufacturing Index was contracting in September 2025, signaling reduced new orders.
- New Energy Vehicle production surged from January to August 2025, boosting selenium demand in electronics.
- Intelligent Equipment Manufacturing rose in Q1-Q3 2025, supporting selenium demand in high-tech sectors.
- Deflationary pressures, with CPI at -0.3% and PPI at -2.3% in September 2025, weighed on market.
- Property investment continued to weigh in Q3 2025, negatively affecting construction-related selenium demand.
Why did the price of Selenium change in September 2025 in APAC?
- Weak industrial demand, evidenced by a -2.3% PPI in September 2025, pressured selenium prices downward.
- The Manufacturing Index contracting in September 2025 indicated reduced new orders for industrial materials.
- Reduced refined copper output in July and September 2025 tightened selenium supply, offering some price support.
Europe
- In Germany, the Selenium Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, influenced by contracting industrial activity.
- Selenium production costs faced upward pressure from high raw material and energy costs in Q3 2025.
- Demand for Selenium strengthened in electronics and glass manufacturing sectors during Q3 2025.
- The Manufacturing Index was contracting in Q3 2025, indicating reduced demand for industrial raw materials.
- Industrial production declined 1.0% in September 2025, contributing to decreased overall Selenium consumption.
- Global copper supply tightened in Q3 2025 due to mine disruptions, potentially impacting Selenium availability.
- German chemical production, excluding pharmaceuticals, declined in Q3 2025, affecting overall Selenium supply.
- Retail sales rose modestly by 0.2% in September 2025, offering slight indirect support for Selenium demand.
- Producer prices fell 1.7% in September 2025, potentially easing cost pressures for end-product manufacturers.
- The Selenium price forecast suggests continued pressure from weak industrial output and fluctuating demand.
Why did the price of Selenium change in September 2025 in Europe?
- Industrial production declined 1.0% in September 2025, reducing overall Selenium demand.
- High raw material and energy costs in Q3 2025 pressured Selenium production.
- Contracting Manufacturing Index in Q3 2025 signaled weaker industrial activity, impacting demand.
