The global tungsten market in 2026 is marked by extreme volatility driven by geopolitical tensions, trade disputes, and resource nationalism, especially between China and the US. These dynamics have caused significant supply disruptions and price surges across tungsten products.

The publication of Fastmarkets’ AG-PLM-0019 Refined bleached deodorised (RBD) palm olein assessment for March 16 was delayed due to a reporter error. Fastmarkets’ pricing database has been updated.

Chinese lead smelters turned more bearish on the procurement of raw materials in the week to Friday February 13, amid heightened price volatility in silver, which is often contained in lead ores as an important by-product and contributor to smelter profits, sources told Fastmarkets.

The outbreak of conflict between the US, Israel and Iran on February 28 has brought shipping through the Strait of Hormuz to a near halt, disrupting China’s steel exports to a region that accounted for 14% of its total finished steel export volume in 2025.

The recent wave of anti-dumping measures approved in Brazil has been met with some concern in China — the country most affected by the Brazilian government’s decisions in this case — but despite the negative impact, Chinese participants see the moves as just another phase of doing business.

The escalating tensions between Iran and Israel since Saturday February 28 have heightened market concerns over potential disruptions to maritime trade routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz – a key transit corridor for Iranian material shipments bound for China.

Zimbabwe has suspended exports of all raw minerals and lithium concentrates with immediate effect, the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development said on Wednesday February 25, citing alleged malpractice and mineral leakages.

Lithium hydroxide production outside China continues to encounter operational hurdles and softer downstream demand, slowing the pace at which new capacity can achieve stable commercial output.

The publication of the affected price was delayed for 2 hours 36 minutes. The following assessment was published late: MB-LI-0043 Spodumene min 6% Li2O, contract price, cif China, $/tonne This price is a part of the Fastmarkets industrial minerals package. For more information or to provide feedback on the delayed publication of this price, or if […]

The erroneously published price assessments on Monday February 16 have been invalidated. Fastmarkets’ pricing database has been updated to reflect this change. The assessment was last published on February 2, and the next publication date will be March 2. The assessment follows the Chinese holiday calendar. The following assessments were affected:MB-FEN-0003 Ferro-nickel premium/discount, 26-32% Ni contained, […]