证券时报·2026-01-11 07:05Core Viewpoint - The Baotou Rare Earth Products Exchange (referred to as "Rare Exchange") has officially launched a rare earth price index, which aims to provide timely, accurate, and transparent price references for the rare earth industry in China [1]. Group 1: Price Index Launch - The rare earth price index is based on the exchange's trading data and extensive collection of compliant trade data, reflecting the overall price trends and market changes of mainstream rare earth products such as lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, and neodymium [1]. - The index was announced on December 5, 2025, during the 2025 Entrepreneurs Forum in Boao, and has garnered significant attention from the rare earth industry [1]. - The exchange is committed to continuously optimizing the index content, expanding the index system, and enhancing the promotion of index applications to serve the development of a unified national market for rare earths [1]. Group 2: Exchange Background - The Rare Exchange was established with contributions from 13 major rare earth enterprises and related institutions, including Northern Rare Earth, China Rare Earth, and others [2]. - The exchange was officially unveiled on August 8, 2012, and has since passed various national inspections and received high-tech enterprise certification in 2022 [2]. Group 3: Price Adjustments - On January 9, 2026, Baogang Co. and Northern Rare Earth announced an increase in the associated transaction price for rare earth concentrate for the first quarter of 2026 to 26,834 yuan/ton (excluding tax, dry weight, REO=50%) [2][3]. - The price adjustment mechanism indicates that for every 1% change in REO, the price will increase or decrease by 536.68 yuan/ton [3]. - The previous quarter's price was adjusted to 26,205 yuan/ton, reflecting a 37% increase compared to the prior quarter [3]. Group 4: Market Dynamics - Since the beginning of 2024, the trading prices of rare earth concentrates have been on the rise, indicating a growing demand and tightening supply in the market [4]. - Rare earth elements are classified into light and heavy rare earths, with heavy rare earths being rarer and more unevenly distributed, primarily concentrated in regions such as Jiangxi, Fujian, Guangdong, and Yunnan [5].