The Tellurium Price Trend in Q2 2026 showed an upward movement in China and the Netherlands, supported by demand from solar energy, renewable power, and specialised industrial applications. Tellurium is a relatively uncommon metal used in cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar panels, thermoelectric materials, and other advanced industrial products.
During April and May, Chinese solar manufacturers maintained strong production activity, while European buyers continued procuring material for renewable energy and thermoelectric applications. At the same time, limited tellurium availability from copper refining and delays in imported supplies affected market conditions.
China recorded a quarterly price increase of 7.33%, while the Netherlands experienced a more moderate rise of 2.22%. Prices continued increasing in June, indicating that demand remained supportive across both markets despite differences in supply conditions.
Tellurium Metal Market Overview in Q2 2026
Tellurium is a specialised metal used in several industrial applications, particularly those associated with solar energy, electronics, and advanced materials. One of its important uses is in cadmium telluride solar technology, where it serves as a key material in photovoltaic modules. It is also used in thermoelectric applications that convert heat into electrical energy and in selected metal alloys and industrial processes.
Because tellurium is commonly recovered as a byproduct of copper refining, its availability depends partly on copper production and the efficiency of recovery operations. This creates a different supply structure from that of metals produced through dedicated mining operations. Even when demand for tellurium increases, supply may not respond immediately if the availability of recoverable material remains limited.
During Q2 2026, these supply characteristics influenced the market alongside changing demand from renewable energy industries. Chinese CdTe photovoltaic manufacturers maintained strong consumption, while European buyers continued purchasing material for solar and thermoelectric applications.
The Tellurium Metal Price Trend reflected these developments, although the strength of the increase varied between regions. China recorded the larger quarterly gain, while the Netherlands experienced a smaller but positive movement.
Tellurium Prices in China
In China, Tellurium Prices increased by 7.33% during Q2 2026. The assessment covered domestically traded material on an EX-Shanghai basis, with a minimum purity of 99.99%.
The main factor supporting prices was demand from the solar energy sector. Manufacturers producing cadmium telluride photovoltaic modules maintained active production schedules during April and May, supporting the need for tellurium as a production input.
Solar energy has become an important area of industrial development, and demand for materials used in photovoltaic technology can influence specialised metal markets. When manufacturers increase production or maintain high operating rates, their material requirements can remain firm. This can place additional pressure on available supplies when production of the raw material is difficult to expand quickly.
Supply availability was another important factor in China. Tellurium is recovered during copper refining, so constraints affecting copper refinery output can limit the amount of tellurium available to the market. This relationship makes tellurium prices sensitive not only to demand from its own consuming industries but also to developments in the wider copper supply chain.
Domestic solar manufacturers also influenced regional market conditions. With local photovoltaic production maintaining strong demand, domestic buyers continued to account for a significant share of consumption. Export demand remained moderate, while the domestic solar sector took priority in the market conditions described for the quarter.
Thermoelectric applications provided additional support. Although these uses serve different industrial needs from solar manufacturing, they contributed to the overall demand for tellurium.
Inventory levels at major consuming facilities moved lower during the quarter. Reduced stocks can encourage manufacturers to secure supplies more actively, particularly when they are concerned about future availability. This can support prices even without a sudden increase in consumption.
In June 2026, Tellurium Prices in China increased by a further 2.38%. Continued solar sector demand and limited byproduct availability helped maintain the upward movement. Firm sentiment ahead of third-quarter contracts also supported the market, as buyers considered their upcoming material requirements.
The June increase showed that the Chinese market remained firm at the end of Q2. However, future price movements will depend on whether solar demand remains strong and whether additional tellurium supplies become available through copper refining.
Tellurium Prices in the Netherlands
The Netherlands recorded a 2.22% increase in tellurium metal prices during Q2 2026. The assessment covered domestically traded material on an ex-warehouse Rotterdam basis, with a minimum purity of 99.99%.
European demand from solar and thermoelectric applications supported the market during April and May. As renewable energy projects and related industrial activities continued requiring specialised materials, buyers maintained procurement activity.
However, the European market faced different supply conditions from China. The Netherlands depends on international supply flows for tellurium, making import availability and transportation schedules important influences on local prices.
Shipping route adjustments caused delays in some import arrivals during the quarter. These delays reduced the availability of material for immediate delivery and limited spot market options. When buyers cannot obtain material on their preferred schedules, they may need to adjust purchasing plans or secure supplies from alternative sources.
Despite these logistical challenges, inventory levels in Rotterdam remained broadly stable throughout the quarter. This helped prevent supply conditions from becoming as tight as they might have been under lower inventory coverage. As a result, the Dutch market recorded a more moderate increase than China.
Currency movements against the US dollar had a broadly neutral impact on euro-denominated prices. This meant that local market demand and import availability remained important factors in the quarterly movement.
In June 2026, Tellurium Prices in the Netherlands increased by 0.61%. Continued demand from solar and thermoelectric applications, together with adequate supply coverage, supported the small monthly gain.
The Dutch market therefore maintained a positive direction, but the increase remained more limited than in China. This difference demonstrates how inventory conditions, import dependence, and regional demand can produce different price movements for the same material.
Tellurium Price Chart: Understanding Regional Price Movements
The Tellurium Price Chart provides a useful comparison of market movements in China and the Netherlands during Q2 2026.
China recorded a quarterly increase of 7.33%, while the Netherlands experienced a rise of 2.22%. In June, prices increased by 2.38% in China and 0.61% in the Netherlands.
These figures highlight the stronger upward momentum in the Chinese market. Strong CdTe photovoltaic production, lower inventories, and constraints on tellurium byproduct availability contributed to the larger increase. In the Netherlands, stable inventory levels and adequate supply coverage helped moderate price pressure despite import delays.
A price chart helps manufacturers, traders, and procurement teams identify changes in market direction and compare price movements over different periods. It can also help buyers understand whether a monthly change reflects a continuation of the quarterly trend or a shift in market conditions.
For example, a manufacturer reviewing the quarterly chart may use the information to assess whether raw material costs have risen enough to require changes in procurement budgets. A trader may compare regional movements to understand where supply constraints are having a stronger effect.
However, regional prices should be compared using consistent purity specifications, delivery terms, and pricing locations. EX-Shanghai domestic prices and ex-warehouse Rotterdam prices represent different market bases, so their absolute price levels are not directly comparable without considering transportation, handling, and other costs.
Tellurium Price Index and Market Conditions
The Tellurium Price Index helps buyers follow the overall direction of tellurium prices over time. It provides a broader view of market developments than a single supplier quotation and can help identify periods of increasing, stable, or declining prices.
During Q2 2026, the positive quarterly movements in China and the Netherlands reflected ongoing demand from renewable energy and specialised industrial applications. However, the size of the increase differed because the two markets faced different supply and inventory conditions.
The June movements provide further insight. China recorded a 2.38% increase, while the Netherlands rose by 0.61%. Both markets continued moving upward, but the Chinese increase was more pronounced.
A price index can be particularly useful for companies that purchase tellurium regularly. By monitoring changes over time, procurement teams can review the development of material costs and assess whether their purchasing plans remain appropriate.
Nevertheless, an index should not be considered in isolation. Buyers should also monitor copper refining activity, import arrivals, inventory levels, solar manufacturing schedules, and supplier delivery commitments. These factors can help explain why prices change and whether market pressure is likely to continue.
Key Factors Affecting the Tellurium Metal Price Trend
Several factors influenced the Tellurium Metal Price Trend during Q2 2026.
Solar Energy Demand
CdTe photovoltaic manufacturing was an important source of tellurium demand in China. When solar module producers maintain strong production schedules, their requirements for tellurium can support consumption and influence local availability.
Copper Refinery Supply
Tellurium is commonly recovered as a byproduct of copper refining. Changes in copper refinery output and material recovery can affect tellurium availability. When recoverable supply is limited, higher demand can place additional pressure on prices.
Thermoelectric Applications
Thermoelectric materials provide another source of demand. These materials are used in applications that convert heat into electrical energy, supporting specialised industrial and electronic uses.
Import Availability and Shipping
International transportation plays an important role in markets that depend on imported material. Delays in shipping can reduce spot market availability and make procurement more difficult, even when overall demand remains steady.
Inventory Conditions
Inventory levels can influence how urgently buyers need to purchase additional material. Lower stocks may encourage more active procurement, while stable or sufficient inventories can reduce immediate supply concerns. This difference helped explain the stronger price increase in China compared with the Netherlands.
Together, these factors shaped the regional price movements observed during the quarter.
Tellurium Metal Price Forecast: What to Watch Next
The outlook for Tellurium Price Forecast will depend on the balance between demand from solar and industrial applications and the availability of material recovered through copper refining.
In China, continued CdTe photovoltaic production will remain an important factor. If solar manufacturers maintain strong production schedules, demand could continue supporting prices. However, changes in procurement activity or improved tellurium availability could moderate the upward pressure.
Copper refinery operations will also be important. Since tellurium supply depends partly on copper processing, changes in refinery output and recovery rates may influence the amount of material available to buyers. An improvement in recoverable supply could ease tightness, while continued constraints could keep prices firm.
In the Netherlands, buyers will need to monitor import schedules, inventory coverage, and demand from renewable energy and thermoelectric applications. More reliable import arrivals could improve availability and reduce spot market pressure. Continued delays could have the opposite effect.
The June 2026 increases indicate that both markets remained on a positive path at the end of the quarter. However, these movements do not guarantee that prices will continue increasing at the same pace. Future developments will depend on actual changes in demand, supply availability, inventories, and international trade.
For manufacturers, traders, and procurement professionals, regularly monitoring the Tellurium Metal Price Trend, Tellurium Prices, Tellurium Price Chart, and Tellurium Price Index can provide a clearer understanding of changing market conditions. Combining price information with supply-chain updates and purchasing requirements can help businesses make better-informed decisions and manage raw material costs more effectively.
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About Price Watch™
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