Understanding Cobalt prices
Raw materials and production
Cobalt is a metal often recovered alongside copper or nickel. Refining converts mined and intermediate materials into forms suitable for particular industrial uses. Recycling of batteries and alloy scrap adds another supply channel.
Applications and consumption
Cobalt is used in some rechargeable-battery cathodes, high-temperature alloys, catalysts and pigments. Not every battery chemistry requires cobalt. Demand depends on technical choices as well as the number of batteries or industrial components produced.
What affects Cobalt prices?
Mining conditions, refining capacity, battery chemistry and recycling flows influence cobalt prices. Concentration of supply in particular regions can increase sensitivity to disruptions. Metal quotations and prices for cobalt chemicals may diverge because processing and specifications differ.
How to read Cobalt price today
This page follows Cobalt in China. The price type is Spot assessment, with values expressed in CNY/t. Compare quotations only after matching the product specification, unit, market and publication period. Changes in the chart describe the recorded series; they do not measure every transaction in the wider market. A local purchase may include freight, processing, taxes or dealer margins. Differences in quality or delivery conditions can therefore produce a different final cost even when the reference price is unchanged.
The latest dated observation is the reference available on this page. Trading holidays or publication delays can leave the displayed date earlier than today; this is not a live tick feed.
Further reading: Royal Society of Chemistry — Cobalt ↗
Frequently asked questions about Cobalt
What is Cobalt price today?
The latest available value is 248,800.00 CNY/t, for 10/16/2026. It represents Spot assessment. Check the displayed period and market before treating it as a quotation for a purchase today. The latest dated observation is the reference available on this page. Trading holidays or publication delays can leave the displayed date earlier than today; this is not a live tick feed.
What affects Cobalt prices?
Mining conditions, refining capacity, battery chemistry and recycling flows influence cobalt prices. Concentration of supply in particular regions can increase sensitivity to disruptions. Metal quotations and prices for cobalt chemicals may diverge because processing and specifications differ.
What is Cobalt used for in everyday life and industry?
Cobalt is used in some rechargeable-battery cathodes, high-temperature alloys, catalysts and pigments. Not every battery chemistry requires cobalt. Demand depends on technical choices as well as the number of batteries or industrial components produced.
Why can local Cobalt prices differ from this chart?
Local offers may include delivery, processing, taxes and commercial margins. Differences in quality, product form, market and contract timing can also change the price. Compare the same specification and unit before drawing conclusions.
Where can I compare historical Cobalt prices?
Use the price chart and dated history table on this page, or download the CSV. Choose a period and keep the market, product and units consistent. Missing publication dates are not filled with invented observations.