# Cobalt Price per kg (United States)

The Stockatomics US benchmark price of cobalt is $56.81 per kg contained as of October 2026. The price is down 3.9% over the past month and +82.0% over the past year.

Source: https://www.stockatomics.com/commodities/cobalt-price-us
Category: Critical Minerals (https://www.stockatomics.com/commodities/critical-minerals)
Lists: US Critical Minerals List, EU Critical Raw Materials Act

## Key figures

| Figure | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Price per kg contained | $56.81 |
| Price type | Stockatomics monthly benchmark |
| Price month | October 2026 |
| 1-month change | −3.9% |
| 6-month change | +16.0% |
| 1-year change | +82.0% |
| 5-year change | +20.3% |
| 12-month high | $60.40 |
| 12-month low | $34.42 |
| Last updated | 18 October 2026 |

## Price summary

Cobalt has fallen 3.9% in the past month. Over the past 12 months it has ranged from $34.42 to $60.40 per kg contained. Over one year the price has changed +82.0%, and over five years +20.3%.

## Cobalt monthly prices

USD per kg contained, newest first.

| Month | Price | Change |
| --- | --- | --- |
| October 2026 | $56.81 | 0.0% |
| September 2026 | $56.81 | 0.0% |
| August 2026 | $56.81 | −4.0% |
| July 2026 | $59.15 | −2.1% |
| June 2026 | $60.40 | +5.9% |
| May 2026 | $57.01 | +3.7% |
| April 2026 | $54.95 | +6.1% |
| March 2026 | $51.77 | +5.7% |
| February 2026 | $49.00 | +7.9% |
| January 2026 | $45.41 | +31.9% |
| December 2025 | $34.42 | −1.0% |
| November 2025 | $34.78 | +3.1% |
| October 2025 | $33.74 | −3.5% |
| September 2025 | $34.98 | +12.1% |
| August 2025 | $31.21 | −2.7% |
| July 2025 | $32.06 | −1.2% |
| June 2025 | $32.44 | +4.3% |
| May 2025 | $31.11 | +11.1% |
| April 2025 | $28.01 | +8.2% |
| March 2025 | $25.88 | −0.8% |
| February 2025 | $26.09 | −10.7% |
| January 2025 | $29.22 | +14.3% |
| December 2024 | $25.56 | −1.7% |
| November 2024 | $25.99 | +8.2% |
| October 2024 | $24.01 | −9.5% |
| September 2024 | $26.53 | −0.6% |
| August 2024 | $26.70 | +2.4% |
| July 2024 | $26.07 | −2.2% |
| June 2024 | $26.66 | −18.4% |
| May 2024 | $32.68 | +3.1% |
| April 2024 | $31.70 | +5.8% |
| March 2024 | $29.97 | −4.7% |
| February 2024 | $31.46 | −13.8% |
| January 2024 | $36.48 | +6.8% |
| December 2023 | $34.17 | +4.4% |
| November 2023 | $32.72 | −4.2% |
| October 2023 | $34.14 | +5.1% |
| September 2023 | $32.48 | +2.6% |
| August 2023 | $31.65 | −9.7% |
| July 2023 | $35.04 | +12.2% |
| June 2023 | $31.23 | −7.3% |
| May 2023 | $33.68 | −5.3% |
| April 2023 | $35.56 | −6.7% |
| March 2023 | $38.10 | −18.9% |
| February 2023 | $47.00 | −6.0% |
| January 2023 | $50.02 | −3.9% |
| December 2022 | $52.03 | −4.0% |
| November 2022 | $54.18 | +2.8% |
| October 2022 | $52.70 | −6.5% |
| September 2022 | $56.36 | −22.3% |
| August 2022 | $72.54 | −9.3% |
| July 2022 | $79.96 | +1.5% |
| June 2022 | $78.74 | +1.8% |
| May 2022 | $77.34 | +16.3% |
| April 2022 | $66.49 | +1.5% |
| March 2022 | $65.48 | +21.8% |
| February 2022 | $53.74 | −10.0% |
| January 2022 | $59.68 | +3.1% |
| December 2021 | $57.87 | +3.9% |
| November 2021 | $55.68 | +14.4% |
| October 2021 | $48.68 | −0.9% |
| September 2021 | $49.10 | +3.9% |
| August 2021 | $47.24 | −1.5% |
| July 2021 | $47.95 | +18.4% |
| June 2021 | $40.51 | −5.5% |
| May 2021 | $42.87 | +5.7% |
| April 2021 | $40.57 | +2.9% |
| March 2021 | $39.43 | +16.8% |
| February 2021 | $33.75 | +3.1% |
| January 2021 | $32.75 | −19.0% |
| December 2020 | $40.41 | +30.1% |
| November 2020 | $31.05 | −4.9% |
| October 2020 | $32.66 | +9.4% |
| September 2020 | $29.85 | +14.3% |
| August 2020 | $26.12 | −14.3% |
| July 2020 | $30.47 | +0.1% |
| June 2020 | $30.45 | −3.7% |
| May 2020 | $31.61 | −7.5% |
| April 2020 | $34.16 | −9.7% |
| March 2020 | $37.81 | +12.4% |
| February 2020 | $33.63 | −9.2% |
| January 2020 | $37.04 | +6.0% |
| December 2019 | $34.94 | −1.0% |
| November 2019 | $35.31 | −0.6% |
| October 2019 | $35.51 | +4.7% |
| September 2019 | $33.93 | +12.8% |
| August 2019 | $30.07 | −10.4% |
| July 2019 | $33.55 | +2.4% |
| June 2019 | $32.75 | −8.5% |
| May 2019 | $35.78 | −7.0% |
| April 2019 | $38.46 | −3.0% |
| March 2019 | $39.64 | −20.9% |
| February 2019 | $50.11 | −14.7% |
| January 2019 | $58.75 | −2.1% |
| December 2018 | $60.02 | −3.0% |
| November 2018 | $61.85 | −10.0% |
| October 2018 | $68.72 | +11.1% |
| September 2018 | $61.86 | −15.8% |
| August 2018 | $73.51 | −7.5% |
| July 2018 | $79.47 | +12.6% |
| June 2018 | $70.56 | +2.5% |
| May 2018 | $68.84 | −12.6% |
| April 2018 | $78.72 | +28.0% |
| March 2018 | $61.49 | −13.3% |
| February 2018 | $70.90 | +8.8% |
| January 2018 | $65.16 | +16.5% |
| December 2017 | $55.94 | −5.8% |
| November 2017 | $59.37 | −0.3% |
| October 2017 | $59.55 | +3.0% |
| September 2017 | $57.80 | +5.6% |
| August 2017 | $54.76 | +5.2% |
| July 2017 | $52.07 | +1.0% |
| June 2017 | $51.54 | +5.5% |
| May 2017 | $48.86 | +2.2% |
| April 2017 | $47.82 | +27.2% |
| March 2017 | $37.59 | +10.4% |
| February 2017 | $34.05 | +15.4% |
| January 2017 | $29.50 | +7.4% |
| December 2016 | $27.48 | +6.8% |
| November 2016 | $25.72 | −1.2% |
| October 2016 | $26.02 | +5.2% |
| September 2016 | $24.73 | +2.8% |
| August 2016 | $24.06 | +1.7% |
| July 2016 | $23.66 | +1.8% |
| June 2016 | $23.25 | −2.7% |
| May 2016 | $23.90 | −6.3% |
| April 2016 | $25.51 | +14.3% |
| March 2016 | $22.32 | +6.4% |
| February 2016 | $20.97 | −4.1% |
| January 2016 | $21.86 | −9.0% |
| December 2015 | $24.03 | −8.2% |
| November 2015 | $26.17 | −5.6% |
| October 2015 | $27.72 | −1.8% |
| September 2015 | $28.24 | −0.7% |
| August 2015 | $28.45 | +0.2% |
| July 2015 | $28.39 | 0.0% |
| June 2015 | $28.40 | +5.3% |
| May 2015 | $26.97 | −1.6% |
| April 2015 | $27.41 | −5.3% |
| March 2015 | $28.94 | −4.7% |
| February 2015 | $30.38 | +0.3% |
| January 2015 | $30.29 | −2.5% |
| December 2014 | $31.06 | +0.6% |
| November 2014 | $30.87 | +1.5% |
| October 2014 | $30.42 | −0.1% |
| September 2014 | $30.44 | +4.1% |
| August 2014 | $29.23 | +0.6% |
| July 2014 | $29.05 | −0.4% |
| June 2014 | $29.17 | −2.0% |
| May 2014 | $29.77 | −1.9% |
| April 2014 | $30.34 | +11.5% |
| March 2014 | $27.22 | +4.0% |
| February 2014 | $26.17 | −0.6% |
| January 2014 | $26.33 | −2.1% |
| December 2013 | $26.90 | −0.7% |
| November 2013 | $27.08 | +1.4% |
| October 2013 | $26.70 | −3.7% |
| September 2013 | $27.74 | −1.5% |
| August 2013 | $28.17 | +4.4% |
| July 2013 | $26.97 | +3.3% |
| June 2013 | $26.11 | +2.0% |
| May 2013 | $25.61 | +0.1% |
| April 2013 | $25.59 | +3.4% |
| March 2013 | $24.74 | +2.7% |
| February 2013 | $24.08 | +0.4% |
| January 2013 | $23.98 | −11.3% |
| December 2012 | $27.02 | −6.2% |
| November 2012 | $28.80 | +3.9% |
| October 2012 | $27.71 | +0.5% |
| September 2012 | $27.57 | +0.1% |
| August 2012 | $27.55 | −3.4% |
| July 2012 | $28.51 | −9.1% |
| June 2012 | $31.35 | +4.9% |
| May 2012 | $29.88 | −1.6% |
| April 2012 | $30.36 | −5.8% |
| March 2012 | $32.23 | +4.4% |
| February 2012 | $30.86 | +0.3% |
| January 2012 | $30.78 | +0.3% |
| December 2011 | $30.69 | −5.9% |
| November 2011 | $32.60 | −6.3% |
| October 2011 | $34.81 | +3.7% |
| September 2011 | $33.57 | −5.7% |
| August 2011 | $35.60 | −4.9% |
| July 2011 | $37.45 | −0.4% |
| June 2011 | $37.59 | +1.9% |
| May 2011 | $36.90 | −6.9% |
| April 2011 | $39.65 | −1.3% |
| March 2011 | $40.17 | +5.3% |
| February 2011 | $38.16 | +6.3% |
| January 2011 | $35.91 | −6.7% |
| December 2010 | $38.48 | −1.6% |
| November 2010 | $39.11 | +1.5% |
| October 2010 | $38.55 | +0.1% |
| September 2010 | $38.52 | +2.9% |
| August 2010 | $37.43 | −5.4% |
| July 2010 | $39.58 | −9.9% |
| June 2010 | $43.95 | +2.7% |
| May 2010 | $42.80 | +0.6% |
| April 2010 | $42.54 | −2.8% |
| March 2010 | $43.75 | +18.0% |
| February 2010 | $37.09 | −4.8% |
| January 2010 | $38.95 | - |

## What cobalt is used for

Cobalt (Co) earns most of its demand in **lithium-ion battery cathodes**, both the nickel-rich chemistries of electric vehicles and the lithium cobalt oxide of phones and laptops. Its older, steadier market is **superalloys** for jet engine and gas turbine parts, which must hold their strength close to their melting point. The rise of cobalt-free lithium iron phosphate batteries has slowed growth per vehicle, but total battery demand still sets the tone.

### Other uses

- Cemented carbide cutting tools, where cobalt is the binder
- Samarium-cobalt and alnico magnets
- Catalysts for removing sulphur from fuels
- Cobalt-chrome medical implants and dental alloys

## Cobalt supply and demand factors

Cobalt supply is extraordinarily concentrated: the Democratic Republic of Congo mines most of the world's cobalt as a by-product of copper, and China refines most of it. Because cobalt rarely pays for a mine on its own, output follows copper and nickel economics, and supply can swing far from demand. Demand depends heavily on **battery chemistry**: nickel-rich cathodes need cobalt, while lithium iron phosphate needs none.

### What moves the price

- Congolese export policy, including quotas
- New supply from Indonesian nickel operations
- Electric vehicle sales and the mix of battery chemistries
- Aerospace superalloy demand

## Cobalt price history

Cobalt has had one of the most dramatic histories of any battery metal. Prices soared in 2017 and early 2018 on electric vehicle enthusiasm and stockpiling, then crashed as Congolese supply surged. A second rally in 2021 and 2022 gave way to a slump in 2023 and 2024, as new output from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Indonesia flooded the market.

In 2025 the Democratic Republic of Congo suspended cobalt exports and then moved to export quotas, and prices rebounded sharply. As of October 2026, the Stockatomics benchmark price is $56.81 per kg contained.

## Where cobalt is produced

The **Democratic Republic of Congo** mines most of the world's cobalt, as a by-product of copper mining, while **Indonesia** has become the second-largest producer through its nickel processing plants. Russia, Australia and the Philippines are smaller sources. **China** refines most of the world's cobalt chemicals and metal.

## Why cobalt is a critical mineral

Cobalt is on the **US critical minerals list** and the **EU critical raw materials list**. Battery and aerospace supply chains depend on it, mining is concentrated in the Democratic Republic of Congo and refining in China, and the US has very limited domestic production.

## How the cobalt benchmark price is calculated

Stockatomics publishes a monthly US benchmark price for cobalt in US dollars per kg contained, reading as of October 2026. The figure is a contained-cobalt price. It is not a price for a battery cathode or for cobalt hydroxide, which trades at a discount to metal.

### Converting the price

- Per pound: multiply the price per kg by 0.4536, the unit commonly used for cobalt metal
- Per tonne: multiply the price per kg by 1,000

## Cobalt stocks

| Company | Ticker | Exchange | Role |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [CMOC Group](https://www.stockatomics.com/companies/cmoc-group-hkg-3993) | 3993 | HKG | Producer |
| [Glencore](https://www.stockatomics.com/companies/glencore-otc-glcnf) | GLCNF | OTC | Producer |
| [Vale](https://www.stockatomics.com/companies/vale-nyse-vale) | VALE | NYSE | By-product producer |

All 3 cobalt stocks: https://www.stockatomics.com/commodities/cobalt-stocks

## FAQ

### What is the price of cobalt per kg today?

The Stockatomics US benchmark price of cobalt is $56.81 per kg contained as of October 2026. Stockatomics updates it every month.

### Why is cobalt used in batteries?

It stabilises the layered cathodes of many lithium-ion batteries, improving safety and lifespan, especially in nickel-rich chemistries.

### Where does most cobalt come from?

The Democratic Republic of Congo mines most of the world's cobalt, Indonesia is the fastest-growing source, and China refines most of it.

### Will electric vehicles need less cobalt?

Many already use less, or none: lithium iron phosphate batteries contain no cobalt, and nickel-rich cathodes have cut cobalt content. Total demand still grows with battery production.

### How is the cobalt benchmark price calculated?

The Stockatomics benchmark for cobalt is a monthly US price in US dollars per kg contained, published every month and current as of October 2026.

## Related commodities

- [Copper price per kg](https://www.stockatomics.com/commodities/copper-price-us): $13.92 per kg contained
- [Nickel price per kg](https://www.stockatomics.com/commodities/nickel-price-us): $17.24 per kg contained
- [Tungsten price per kg](https://www.stockatomics.com/commodities/tungsten-price-us): $127.28 per kg contained
- [Chromium price per kg](https://www.stockatomics.com/commodities/chromium-price-us): $1.86 per kg contained
- [Lead price per kg](https://www.stockatomics.com/commodities/lead-price-us): $1.93 per kg contained
- [Metallurgical coal price per kg](https://www.stockatomics.com/commodities/metallurgical-coal-price-us): $0.15 per kg coal

## Sources

- U.S. trade data: the monthly cobalt price.
- U.S. Geological Survey (USGS): the US critical minerals list.
- Company filings: the listed companies and their roles.

Last updated 18 October 2026.