China's LFP Cathode Exports Down 14.5% MoM in July but Up 380% YoY, US and Europe Drive Demand

Published: Aug 21, 2026 11:23

Save

SMM August 21 news: China's LFP cathode material export data for July 2026 was released. Customs data show that exports in July stood at 13,153.3 mt, down 14.5% MoM from the June record high, but still up roughly 380% YoY. Export sentiment stayed high.

On the price front, the average export price in July was $9,107.45/mt, edging down about $17.6/mt MoM, a decline of only 0.2%, indicating overall price stability.

By region:

North America: The US remained the main pillar of overseas demand. Exports to the US in July totaled 5,972.5 mt, up 10.4% MoM. Despite policy uncertainties, domestic battery capacity in the US continued to ramp up, keeping actual import demand rigid. Exports to Canada fell from 2,464.5 mt in June to 1,443.4 mt, down 41.4% MoM, mainly due to a normal pullback after concentrated stockpiling by top-tier players like LG Energy Solution in June.

Europe: The recovery trend was further confirmed. Exports to Poland hit 889.5 mt, up 38.1% MoM, the second consecutive month of rebound. Higher operating rates at LG's Poland plant and Northvolt's production lines continued to drive import demand for Chinese LFP cathode materials. Hungary recorded its first export of 16 mt in July, indicating that CATL's Hungary plant had entered the small-batch stockpiling phase, laying the groundwork for future volume growth in Europe.

Asia: Exports to South Korea rebounded to 137.0 mt, up 70% MoM, reflecting rigid demand from Japanese and South Korean battery enterprises for cost-effective LFP materials under cost reduction pressure. Exports to Thailand and Vietnam reached 2,089.6 mt and 660 mt, up 4.5% and 6.5% MoM respectively, maintaining steady growth and providing stable support to the Southeast Asian market.

Overall, although July exports pulled back MoM, the absolute level remained at a historical high. The core logic of robust overseas LFP demand remained unchanged. (Data source: SMM and customs import and export statistics)

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM's internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or for more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn

For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn

Related News

1 hour ago

[SMM analysis] July LFP material export data released! Over 13,000 mt, a stage-wise slight pullback of 14.5%, demand support from North America and Southeast Asia remains strong!

1 hour ago

[EVE: Currently, energy storage orders are sufficient, and orders on hand have exceeded existing capacity.]

[EVE: Energy Storage Orders Sufficient, Orders on Hand Exceed Existing Capacity] EVE recently stated in a conference call that the company currently has sufficient energy storage orders, with orders on hand exceeding existing capacity. It expects energy storage shipments to grow significantly next year, with growth rate mainly depending on the pace of capacity release. Regionally, the proportion of outside China will also increase this year, mainly benefiting from the ramp-up of international clients. The company's energy storage segment growth is primarily concentrated in emerging fields such as electricity ESS, grid-forming ESS, and AIDC.

1 hour ago

3 hours ago

[SMM Flash] 73,500 mt Sulfur from Guizhou Phosphate Chemical Group Arrived Smoothly at Port

In the early morning of August 20, 73,500 mt of sulfur directly purchased from the Middle East by Guizhou Phosphate Chemical Group successfully arrived at Zhanjiang Port, Guangdong. This is the first vessel of mainstream Middle East cargo directly imported and purchased by Guizhou Phosphate Chemical Group since the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran, and also the largest single purchase contract for Middle East sulfur in terms of volume and value since the establishment of the group in 2019.

3 hours ago