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Rare earth prices in China continued to edge lower this week amid weakening downstream demand and a surplus of domestic supply.

China’s terbium oxide have prices weakened over the past few days due to a lack of consumer buying, industry sources told Metal-Pages. A source at a southern supplier said most downstream consumers are remaining on the sidelines.

“The downstream florescent powder market is sluggish and consumers are reluctant to replenish terbium oxide,” an official at the company said to Metal-Pages. Traders have confirmed that prices of about $564 per kilogram for terbium oxide are being seen in the market, compared to $596 per kilogram last week.

Praseodymium oxide prices are stable on the back of relatively tight domestic supply. Traders have said that 99-percent praseodymium oxide prices are at $53,186 per MT, similar to prices seen a week ago. A supplier in Southern China said praseodymium oxide supply is tight due to the reduction in domestic output.

Europium oxide prices have softened in the past few days. Prices have fallen to $773 per kilogram, with one source confirming that only small packages are being sold on the spot market.

The yttrium oxide market remains quiet owing to a lack of downstream demand. Buyers can purchase yttrium oxide at about $12,891 per MT. A consumer source in Southern China told Metal-Pages that his company is not planning to replenish its REO supply due to a lack of downstream orders.