Tungsten prices moved lower this week as profit-takers undercut the market and new orders dried up, even though year-to-date gains across concentrates, APT, and powders remain large. Here is the April 3, 2026 Chinatungsten Online snapshot plus what the pullback means for cemented carbide procurement.
This week the tungsten complex trended lower overall: activity thinned and fresh business was hard to find. The move reflects a shift from the earlier feverish rally toward a more cautious, price-sensitive market.
The analysis below follows Chinatungsten Online’s latest commentary on supply, demand, and strategic context — with a full price table as of press time.
Market overview: profit-taking, imports, and softer demand
On the supply side, some speculative holders moved to lock in gains, selling below mainstream list prices and dragging benchmarks down. Higher imports, softer exports, and more scrap tungsten in circulation have also expanded effective domestic availability. With enthusiasm for “strategic” stocking fading and real consumption growth still limited, bearish expectations have gained ground.
On the demand side, the long run-up in tungsten had already pushed downstream tungsten-product makers to trim purchases when costs spiked — only better-capitalised buyers kept meaningful restocking. Now that prices are correcting from highs and sentiment has turned cautious, buyers are bargaining harder and new orders have shrunk, so demand is offering less support to the market.
Chinatungsten Online: long-term value vs. near-term pressure
Chinatungsten Online argues that tungsten’s role as a core strategic metal is unchanged, but the market is working through near-term downward pressure. A rational correction can cool overheated sentiment, reopen room for liquidity to return, and give upstream and downstream participants time to reset cost and margin expectations — while restoring a healthier balance between supply and demand.
The main risk they flag is disorderly selling if fear spreads. Participants are advised to stay measured and avoid chasing every headline move.
Price table — April 3, 2026 (Chinatungsten Online)
Figures below are as published at press time. “From peak” and year-to-date changes are as stated by the source.
| Produkt | Preis | YTD |
|---|---|---|
| 65% wolframite concentrate | RMB 960,000/ton | +108.7% YTD |
| 65% scheelite concentrate | RMB 959,000/ton | +108.9% YTD |
| Ammonium paratungstate (APT) | RMB 1,450,000/ton | +116.4% YTD |
| European APT | USD 2,800–3,150 (≈ RMB 1,706,000–1,919,000)/ton (equiv.) | +223.4% YTD |
| Tungsten powder | RMB 2,340/kg | +116.7% YTD |
| Tungsten carbide powder | RMB 2,280/kg | +119.2% YTD |
| Cobalt powder | RMB 580/kg | +11.5% YTD |
| 70% ferrotungsten | RMB 1,380,000/ton | +112.3% YTD |
| European ferrotungsten | USD 310–330/kg W (≈ RMB 1,494,000–1,590,000)/ton (equiv.) | +132.7% YTD |
| Scrap tungsten rods | RMB 1,030/kg | +71.7% YTD |
| Scrap tungsten drill bits | RMB 1,000/kg | +72.4% YTD |
Quelle: Chinatungsten Online · YTD = Veränderung seit 1. Jan. 2026 · WoW = Woche zu Woche
What this means for solid carbide tool buyers
- A broader pullback in concentrates and powders still leaves the year-to-date cost base far above historical norms — budget assumptions should reflect that, not only the latest weekly dip.
- Scrap quotes have fallen sharply from their highs; that can ease pressure on recyclers and some blended powder routes, but spreads remain volatile.
- Weaker spot buying upstream often coincides with tougher negotiations downstream — expect carbide tool suppliers to defend margins unless order books soften materially.
- Use the breather to align specifications, coating, and batch sizes so quotes stay comparable week to week.
Procurement recommendation
Treat this phase as a sentiment and liquidity adjustment, not necessarily a full reset of structural tightness. Consolidate demand where you can, confirm delivery windows, and request factory-direct pricing on standard solid carbide drills and end mills to limit stacked distributor mark-ups during volatile raw-material windows.
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Outlook
Near term, Chinatungsten Online sees room for further softness while the market digests profit-taking, trade flows, and cautious downstream buying — with the caveat that panic selling could overshoot fair value. Strategic demand for tungsten is unlikely to disappear, but price discovery may stay choppy until orders stabilise.
We will keep publishing these tungsten price snapshots so manufacturing and procurement teams can track raw-material pressure alongside solid carbide tool sourcing.
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