Tungsten prices weakened as major producers cut long-term contract prices and profit-taking spread after the earlier rally. Overseas prices stayed relatively firmer on inventory drawdowns and restocking, while APT and powders slipped more moderately. Here is the April 8, 2026 snapshot from Chinatungsten Online plus what carbide tool buyers should watch next.
Tungsten prices softened this week, with the pullback linked to price reductions in long-term contracts from leading producers. After the previous surge stretched beyond what many participants viewed as a “value range” supported by fundamentals, profit-taking accelerated and overall sentiment turned more cautious — dragging tungsten ore and ferrotungsten lower as well.
Market overview: softer contracts, but strategic support remains
Even as prices weakened, the market still shows some willingness to defend levels because tungsten remains a strategic resource. Continued depletion of historical inventories and a gradual release of international restocking demand helped keep overseas tungsten prices rising more than domestic prices, which in turn influenced domestic expectations.
APT and tungsten powder trading was cautious, with prices sliding at a relatively moderate pace. Cemented carbide producers were slower to adjust due to lagged cost transmission and maintained firmer offers, but the weaker overall atmosphere reduced new deal flow across the chain.
Scrap tungsten: narrow fluctuations, pressure on leveraged recyclers
Scrap tungsten prices moved in a narrow band. Recyclers who built inventory aggressively at higher prices face psychological pressure and financial risk, so the market stayed cautious and sentiment remained highly sensitive to upstream raw-material moves.
Macro notes: geopolitics shifted risk appetite
Geopolitical headlines affected risk appetite across metals and financial markets. Reports said the US, Israel, and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire and would resume negotiations on the 10th. As of press time, New York gold rose as much as 3.32%, silver as much as 5.94%, while NYMEX crude oil futures fell as much as 17.47%.
Price table — April 8, 2026 (Chinatungsten Online)
The following table summarises the latest published price points as of April 8, 2026. “From peak” and year-to-date changes are stated by the source.
| Produkt | Preis | YTD |
|---|---|---|
| 65% wolframite concentrate | RMB 945,000/ton | +105.4% YTD |
| 65% scheelite concentrate | RMB 944,000/ton | +105.7% YTD |
| Ammonium paratungstate (APT) | RMB 1,450,000/ton | +116.4% YTD |
| European APT | USD 2,800–3,190 (≈ RMB 1,706,000–1,943,000)/ton (equiv.) | +225.5% 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 1,350,000/ton | +107.7% 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
- Contract price adjustments can ripple quickly through concentrates → APT → powders, but downstream carbide pricing usually moves with a lag; plan for “sticky” tool quotes even when spot softens.
- Overseas prices staying firmer is a reminder that inventory drawdowns and international restocking can limit how far domestic prices fall.
- Scrap volatility can create short-term noise in recycled feedstock economics; keep an eye on spreads rather than single-point quotes.
- If you have April–May production loads, lock specifications early (diameter, flute length, shank, OAL, coating) to avoid re-quoting cycles.
Procurement recommendation
Use the current pullback to refresh your cost baseline and consolidate demand where possible. For standard drills and end mills, factory-direct sourcing can reduce exposure to stacked margin layers during raw-material whipsaws and help stabilise lead times.
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Outlook
Near-term pricing will likely continue to be shaped by long-term contract adjustments, profit-taking, and macro sentiment. Watch whether overseas restocking stays active and whether scrap flows accelerate — both can change the pace of the correction.
We will keep publishing tungsten price snapshots to help machining procurement teams track raw-material cost pressure and plan tooling budgets.
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