Instability of trade in tungsten

In recent years there has been an increasing imbalance between the supply and demand of tungsten, as well as an increase in the availability of tungsten resulting from recycled material and stockpile releases while the market was weak. These factors have generated an unstable tungsten market.

The average 1983 price of tungsten was $80.86 per mtu (metric ton unit), compared to $106.12 per mtu in 1982. Between 1981 and 1983, tungsten concentrate prices were 42% lower than in 1980, leading to serious effects on producers.