The Zinc Oxide (ZNO) Price Trend moved clearly upward during Q2 2026, with prices supported by higher zinc metal costs, stronger logistics expenses, and continuing uncertainty in international trade. Zinc oxide is widely used in industries such as tyres, rubber products, ceramics, paints, coatings, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and several specialty applications. Because of this wide range of uses, changes in raw material costs and transportation can quickly influence the market.

👉👉👉Please submit your query to get Zinc Oxide (ZNO) price trend, forecast and market price analysis: https://www.price-watch.ai/book-a-demo/ 

During the second quarter of 2026, the global market experienced a combination of cost pressure and steady demand. Higher zinc metal prices increased the cost of producing zinc oxide, while rising crude oil prices pushed up freight and transportation expenses. At the same time, geopolitical tensions and uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz increased marine insurance and shipping costs. These factors made imported material more expensive in several regions.

The overall picture was therefore fairly simple: production became more expensive, transportation became more expensive, and buyers continued to need zinc oxide. This combination helped keep the market firm throughout Q2.

Global Zinc Oxide (ZNO) Price Trend in Q2 2026

The global Zinc Oxide (ZNO) Prices showed a firm upward movement during Q2 2026. The increase was not exactly the same in every country because local markets have different supply conditions, production structures, and dependence on imports.

One of the main reasons behind the price increase was the rise in zinc metal prices. Zinc is the key raw material used in zinc oxide production, so higher zinc costs naturally put pressure on manufacturers. Even when zinc ore availability remained relatively stable, smelters and producers still faced higher operating expenses.

Energy costs were another important factor. Zinc smelting and processing require significant energy, meaning changes in energy prices can affect the final cost of zinc oxide. During the quarter, higher energy expenses added another layer of cost pressure for producers.

Logistics also played a major role. Rising crude oil prices increased transportation expenses, while geopolitical tensions created additional uncertainty for international shipping. Higher freight rates and marine insurance premiums increased the cost of moving zinc oxide from producing countries to importing markets.

As a result, markets with strong import dependence generally experienced greater cost increases than markets with sufficient domestic production.

What Happened to Zinc Oxide Prices in India?

India recorded one of the stronger increases during Q2 2026. The Zinc Oxide Price Trend for 99.5% purity material on an Ex-Kolkata basis increased by around 15% during the quarter.

The main reason was the increase in zinc metal prices. Domestic manufacturers faced higher raw material costs, which translated into higher zinc oxide prices. At the same time, rising crude oil prices increased transportation expenses across the supply chain.

International uncertainty also affected the Indian market. Concerns surrounding the USA-Israel and Iran conflict and the security situation around the Strait of Hormuz contributed to higher shipping-related costs. These conditions increased the general cost of moving goods, even when domestic supply remained relatively stable.

Demand, however, remained healthy. Industries such as tyre manufacturing, rubber compounding, ceramics, paints, coatings, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals continued to purchase zinc oxide regularly.

An important feature of the Indian market during the quarter was that buyers continued to procure material despite higher prices. This suggests that zinc oxide remained an important input for downstream industries and could not easily be replaced.

By June, prices were still close to their quarterly highs. Logistics conditions were beginning to improve gradually, but the effect was not strong enough to remove the cost support created earlier in the quarter.

Vietnam Zinc Oxide Market

Vietnam also experienced a significant increase in zinc oxide prices during Q2 2026. Imported 99.5% purity zinc oxide from India on a CIF Cat Lai basis increased by approximately 15%.

For Vietnam, the story was strongly connected to import costs. Higher export prices from India were combined with rising freight expenses, increasing the replacement cost for Vietnamese buyers.

The geopolitical situation also had an impact. Higher shipping expenses and marine insurance premiums increased the landed cost of imported zinc oxide. For an importing market, these additional expenses can have a direct effect on the price paid by local buyers.

At the same time, demand remained healthy. Tyre manufacturing, rubber processing, ceramics, paints, coatings, and industrial chemical industries continued to require zinc oxide.

Import availability from India remained steady, which helped prevent serious supply shortages. However, steady availability did not mean lower prices because replacement costs continued to rise.

By June 2026, Vietnam's zinc oxide prices remained at elevated levels. Shipping conditions were gradually becoming better, but the market continued to carry the higher costs accumulated during the quarter.

UAE Zinc Oxide Price Movement

The UAE market followed a similar pattern. Imported 99.5% purity zinc oxide from India on a CIF Jebel Ali basis increased by roughly 15% during Q2 2026.

Higher Indian export offers were one reason for the increase, while freight charges added further pressure. The UAE's position as an important trading and import hub means that international shipping conditions can have a noticeable effect on landed material costs.

Rising crude oil prices also contributed to higher transportation expenses. In addition, uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz increased marine insurance and shipping costs across regional trade routes.

Despite these challenges, demand remained consistent. Buyers from the rubber, tyre, ceramics, paints, coatings, chemicals, and industrial manufacturing sectors continued to purchase zinc oxide.

Importers also focused on maintaining sufficient inventory. When replacement costs are rising, businesses often prefer to secure material rather than wait and risk paying even more later. This purchasing behavior helped keep the market firm.

By June, Zinc Oxide (ZNO) Prices in the UAE remained consistently high, although geopolitical risks were beginning to ease gradually.

China Shows a More Moderate Increase

China presented a different picture compared with India, Vietnam, and the UAE. The Ex-Shanghai price for 99.7% purity zinc oxide increased by approximately 3% during Q2 2026.

The smaller increase was mainly connected to China's relatively stable domestic supply conditions. Higher zinc metal prices still provided cost support, but sufficient raw material availability and efficient production helped limit the impact of international logistics problems.

The geopolitical situation created uncertainty in international markets, but its direct effect on China's domestic zinc oxide market was relatively limited.

Demand remained stable from tyre manufacturers, rubber goods producers, ceramics, paints, coatings, chemicals, and specialty industrial applications. Regular purchasing activity allowed producers to maintain consistent operating levels.

China's export demand also remained strong across Asian markets. This provided additional support to producers without creating a major shortage in the domestic market.

By June 2026, China's zinc oxide prices were relatively stable, with only a modest increase compared with other major regional markets.

Zinc Oxide (ZNO) Price Chart: What Does It Show?

Looking at the Zinc Oxide (ZNO) Price Chart for Q2 2026, the overall direction was upward, but the strength of the movement differed by market.

India, Vietnam, and the UAE recorded increases of around 15%, while China experienced a more moderate rise of approximately 3%.

This difference is important because it shows that zinc oxide prices are influenced by more than just the cost of zinc metal. Local supply, import dependence, freight rates, insurance costs, and downstream demand all play a role.

Markets that depend more heavily on imported material were more exposed to changes in international freight and landed costs. Markets with strong domestic production had more ability to absorb or manage these pressures.

Therefore, the Q2 price chart can be viewed as a reflection of both global cost conditions and local market structures.

Zinc Oxide (ZNO) Price Index in Q2 2026

The Zinc Oxide (ZNO) Price Index remained firmly positive throughout Q2 2026. This reflects the broad strength seen across the markets covered during the quarter.

The index was supported by several factors working at the same time. Higher zinc metal prices increased production costs, while energy and logistics expenses added further pressure. Meanwhile, downstream demand remained stable enough to prevent prices from falling.

The positive direction of the index also indicates that the market was not simply experiencing a temporary increase in one location. Price pressure was visible across multiple regions, although the size of the increase varied.

For buyers and manufacturers, the index therefore provided a useful indication of the wider market environment during the quarter.

Zinc Oxide Price Forecast: What Could Happen Next?

Looking beyond Q2 2026, the zinc oxide market will likely continue to be influenced by raw material costs, demand, logistics, and geopolitical developments.

If zinc metal prices remain elevated, zinc oxide producers are likely to continue facing cost pressure. This could provide support to Zinc Oxide (ZNO) Prices in the near term.

Freight costs will also remain important. If shipping conditions continue to improve and crude oil prices become more stable, some of the additional logistics pressure seen during Q2 could gradually reduce. This would be particularly relevant for import-dependent markets such as Vietnam and the UAE.

Demand will be another key factor. Tyre and rubber industries are major consumers of zinc oxide, while ceramics, paints, coatings, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and specialty industrial applications provide additional demand. Continued purchasing from these industries would help maintain a firm market.

However, a meaningful improvement in supply or a noticeable reduction in raw material and transportation costs could limit further price increases.

In simple terms, the future direction will depend on whether cost pressure remains stronger than any improvement in logistics and supply conditions.

👉👉👉Please submit your query to get Zinc Oxide (ZNO) price trend, forecast and market price analysis: https://www.price-watch.ai/book-a-demo/ 

Key Factors Influencing Zinc Oxide (ZNO) Prices

Several factors stood out during Q2 2026 and are likely to remain important for the market.

• Zinc metal prices: Higher zinc costs directly increase the cost of producing zinc oxide.
  
  

• Energy expenses: Smelting and production require energy, making energy prices an important cost factor.
  
  

• Crude oil prices: Higher oil prices can increase road transportation, freight, and other logistics expenses.
  
  

• Shipping costs: Higher freight rates increase the final landed cost of imported zinc oxide.
  
  

• Marine insurance: Geopolitical uncertainty can increase insurance premiums for international shipments.
  
  

• Geopolitical developments: Conflicts and shipping-route risks can quickly affect international trade costs.
  
  

• Downstream demand: Strong demand from tyres, rubber, ceramics, paints, coatings, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals supports prices.
  
  

• Domestic supply: Regions with reliable local production may experience less price pressure than import-dependent markets.
  
  

• Inventory decisions: When buyers expect higher replacement costs, they may purchase earlier and maintain healthier inventories.

Regional Comparison of Q2 2026

The Q2 2026 market can be summarized quite simply.

India saw one of the strongest increases, with prices rising around 15% because of higher zinc metal and logistics costs. Vietnam also recorded an increase of approximately 15%, largely because imported material became more expensive.

The UAE experienced a similar increase of roughly 15%, with freight, insurance, crude oil prices, and regional shipping uncertainty adding to import costs.

China recorded a much smaller increase of around 3%. Its relatively stable domestic supply and efficient production helped reduce the impact of international logistics pressures.

This comparison shows why the same global event can have very different effects on individual zinc oxide markets.

The Q2 2026 Zinc Oxide (ZNO) Price Trend was clearly positive, with prices rising across the major markets covered in the quarter. Higher zinc metal prices, increased energy expenses, expensive freight, rising marine insurance costs, and geopolitical uncertainty all contributed to the firm market environment.

India, Vietnam, and the UAE each recorded price increases of around 15%, while China experienced a more moderate increase of approximately 3%. The difference was mainly related to local supply conditions and exposure to international logistics costs.

At the same time, demand remained healthy across important end-use industries, particularly tyres, rubber products, ceramics, paints, coatings, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and specialty industrial applications. This steady demand provided an additional foundation for the market.

The Zinc Oxide (ZNO) Price Chart for Q2 therefore shows a broad upward movement, while the Zinc Oxide (ZNO) Price Index remained firmly positive. Looking ahead, the market will continue to depend on zinc metal prices, energy expenses, freight conditions, geopolitical developments, and downstream demand.

Overall, Q2 2026 demonstrated that zinc oxide prices can be influenced by events far beyond the production facility itself. Raw materials, shipping routes, oil prices, insurance, and industrial demand all come together to determine the final market price. If these cost pressures remain elevated, the Zinc Oxide (ZNO) Prices are likely to stay supported, while improved logistics and easing geopolitical risks could gradually reduce some of the pressure seen during the quarter.

About Price Watch™

Price Watch™ is an India-based, independent raw material price reporting agency that provides real-time price forecasts and data-driven insights into global raw material markets. Price Watch™ specializes in tracking raw material prices, analyzing market trends, and delivering timely updates on plant shutdowns, supply disruptions, capacity expansions, and demand-supply dynamics. 

The Price Watch™ platform empowers manufacturers, traders, and procurement professionals to make faster, smarter decisions. Leveraging AI-powered forecasting and over a decade of historical data, Price Watch™ transforms market volatility into actionable opportunity.

Futura Tech Park,

C Block, 8th floor 334,

Old Mahabalipuram Road,

Sholinganallur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Pincode - 600119.

𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐝𝐈𝐧: https://www.linkedin.com/company/price-watch-ai/

𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤: https://www.facebook.com/people//61568490385598/

𝐓𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫: https://x.com/pricewatchai

𝐖𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞: https://www.price-watch.ai/