China Lithium Imports/Exports Surged MoM with the Smoothness of Import/Export Channels

SHANGHAI, Jun 21 (SMM) - According to customs data, China's lithium carbonate imports were 9,676 mt in May, up significantly by 68% MoM and 13% YoY. In terms of country of origin, imports from Argentina and Chile added 47% and 68% MoM respectively. The average import price stood at $40,858/mt in May 2022, an increase of 14% month-on-month and 659% year-on-year! Among them, the average price of imported lithium carbonate from Chile was $43,290/mt, an increase of 13% from April. In terms of the destinations, 41% of China’s total imports of lithium carbonate went to Shanghai, 25% Fujian, and 20% Sichuan. The imports totalled 42,935 mt from January to May 2022, a year-on-year increase of 17%.

China exported 7,480 mt of lithium hydroxide in May 2022, a month-on-month increase of 31% and year-on-year increase of 22%. Among them, exports to South Korea added 56% from the previous month, and those to Japan dropped 9% MoM. The average export price recorded $47,789/mt, a sharp rise of 48% MoM! And the YoY growth stood at 439%. The average price of lithium hydroxide exported to South Korea was $57,372/mt, and that of lithium hydroxide exported to Japan was $20,139/mt. From January to May 2022, China’s exports of lithium hydroxide totalled 30,750 mt, a year-on-year increase of 11%.

China imported 224,308 mt of spodumene concentrate in May 2022, up 7.65% on the month and up 52.39% on the year. Among them, imports from Australia stood at 218,104 mt, accounting for about 97.2% of China’s total imports in the month, of which 33% went to Sichuan Province, 24% Shanghai, 23% Jiangxi, 11% Jiangsu, and 5% Fujian. From January to May 2022, the combined imports of spodumene concentrate in China was 963,868 mt (equivalent to about 120,500 mt of LCE).