The price of high-end optical fiber preforms has risen by nearly 550%. Industry insiders state that the short-term supply shortage of optical preforms will remain periodically fixed.

Golden Ten Data reported on June 4 that optical fiber preforms, also known as “optical rods,” are the raw materials that determine the performance of optical fibers. Optical rods are categorized into three main classes: A, B, and C. Among these, the A2 class optical fiber preform, as a high-end product category, is experiencing explosive demand. According to industry insiders, optical fiber preforms, serving as the upstream materials for optical cable products, account for 70% of the industry’s profit distribution. Currently, the most sought-after product is the “A2 class optical fiber preform,” which produces optical fibers with strong bending resistance and is widely used in AI computing infrastructure and home communication scenarios. Data shows that the quoted price for A2 preforms has increased from 22 to 30 yuan per equivalent core kilometer at the beginning of 2025 to 160 yuan per equivalent core kilometer in 2026, a rise of nearly 550%. Industry sources indicate that the expansion cycle for optical rods usually takes 18 to 24 months. In the short term, supply shortages of optical rods will continue to be periodically entrenched. Companies with production capacity for optical rods will be the main beneficiaries in this cycle, while small and medium-sized manufacturers may face inadequate supply, reliance on subcontracting, and profit squeezing.