Technology metal price
Bismuth price today: $85.29 per kg
Price as of 27 October 2026 · checked 28 October 2026 · USD per kg, metal
Summary
The bismuth reference price is $85.29 per kilogram of metal as of 27 October 2026, +55.36% year to date. China produced 88% of world bismuth in 2025, USGS puts the 2025 average price at $20 per pound (the highest on record) and the reference price today is $85.29 per kg.
Bismuth price in every unit and over time
| Measure | USD | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Per kilogram | $85.29 | Reference price, metal, 27 October 2026 |
| Per gram | $0.085 | kg price divided by 1,000 |
| Per troy ounce | $2.65 | 1 kg = 32.1507 troy ounces |
| Per pound | $38.69 | 1 kg = 2.2046 pounds |
| Per tonne | $85,290 | kg price times 1,000 |
| 1 January 2026 | $54.90 | Derived from the year-to-date change |
| Year to date | +55.36% | Rank 6 of 12 metals |
| Since January 2020 | n/a | Our series for bismuth starts later |
- 1 January 2026 (derived) $54.90
- 27 October 2026 $85.29
Source: supplier reference prices for private investors, USD per kg of metal. Derived values back-calculate from the stated percentage changes and are rounded. How we price
What is moving the bismuth price
A spike on export controls, then a settle
Bismuth in-warehouse Rotterdam prices rose from $5.96 per pound in January 2025 to $17.50 in October 2025, with a monthly peak of $34.22 per pound in March 2025 after China issued export controls on bismuth in response to US tariffs. The 2025 average of about $20 per pound was almost four times 2024.
Reference price in context
$85.29 per kg is $38.69 per pound, against a $44.09 per kg ($20 per lb) USGS 2025 average and a $75.45 per kg monthly peak. The reference price is +55.36% year to date. US bismuth imports from China fell 40% in 2025 to an estimated 460 tonnes from 760 tonnes.
Byproduct of lead, tungsten and zinc
Bismuth is rarely a primary product. USGS says only the Tasna mine in Bolivia (inactive since 1996) and one mine in China have had it as the main product. Chinese output of 14,000 t in 2025 is 88% of the 16,000 t world total.
Bismuth annual average price, Rotterdam, 99.99% (USGS / Fastmarkets)
| Year | Price | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $3.74 per lb | $8.25 per kg |
| 2022 | $3.90 per lb | $8.60 per kg |
| 2023 | $4.08 per lb | $9.00 per kg |
| 2024 | $5.40 per lb | $11.90 per kg |
| 2025 (est.) | $20 per lb | $44.09 per kg; record annual average |
Per-kg values calculated from USGS per-pound figures. The reference price is a private-investor metal price at a single date. The benchmarks above are annual averages for a different form (oxide or an import value) and a different channel, so the gap between them is context, not an arbitrage. Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026.
World bismuth refinery production, 2025 (USGS, tonnes)
| Country | 2025e (t) | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | 14,000 | 88% |
| Korea, Republic of | 1,000 | 6% |
| Japan | 500 | 3% |
| Laos | 500 | 3% |
| World total | 16,000 | 100% |
Shares calculated from USGS figures; minor producers (Bolivia, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan) omitted.
What bismuth is used for
| End use | Weight | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals and chemicals | Largest US use | Bismuth subsalicylate, pigments, cosmetics |
| Lead-free alloys | Established | Brass plumbing, free-machining steel, solders |
| Fusible alloys | Niche | Fire-sprinkler triggers, low-melting alloys |
Dates and signals to watch
- OngoingChinese bismuth export licences (in force since February 2025) and Chinese customs data.
- OngoingLead and zinc smelter output, which governs non-Chinese bismuth supply.
These are scheduled or reported events, not forecasts. We do not publish price targets. Chinese announcement dates should be checked against the original MOFCOM text; see the export-control timeline.
Compared with related metals
| Metal | USD per kg | YTD |
|---|---|---|
| Bismuth | $85.29 | +55.36% |
| Antimony price | $36.18 | −34.24% |
| Tellurium price | $132.00 | −39.89% |
Bismuth price: frequently asked questions
What is the bismuth price per kilogram?
$85.29 per kilogram as of 27 October 2026, +55.36% year to date.
What is the bismuth price per pound?
$38.69 per pound. USGS recorded a 2025 average of $20 per pound.
Why did bismuth prices spike in 2025?
China issued export controls on bismuth in response to US tariffs in February 2025. USGS recorded a $34.22 per pound monthly average in March 2025, the highest of the year.
Sources
- U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Bismuth — February 2026, 2025 estimates
- China Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), export control announcements 23/2023, 33/2024, 46/2024, 18/2025, 70/2025 and 72/2025 — check the original text for the current licence status
Reference prices are indicative, not offers to buy or sell, and not investment advice. Reviewed 28 October 2026.