[SMM Analysis] Weekly Lithium Ore Market Trends (2.10-2.14)

Spodumene side, prices were basically flat WoW this week. Overseas mine lithium ore prices remained around $900/mt, with miners maintaining a strong sentiment to stand firm on quotes. However, due to excessively high prices causing severe losses, demand-side purchase willingness weakened under the current downward trend of lithium carbonate prices, leading to mediocre overall market transactions. In the domestic market, traders and lithium chemical plants actively inquired and purchased to maintain production rhythm as operations resumed, resulting in a slight improvement in overall transaction activity compared to earlier periods. Additionally, a recent transaction for an overseas lithium ore at CIF SC6 $875/mt showed a slight decline from the previous price center. Considering the current price suppression sentiment from the demand side, spodumene concentrate prices are expected to face downward pressure in the short term.

This week, lepidolite prices saw a slight increase. Recently, some suppliers in Jiangxi conducted auction shipments with a clear sentiment to stand firm on quotes, pushing transaction prices to higher levels. Other small and medium-sized suppliers also raised their quotes under this influence. On the demand side, there was strong replenishment willingness as operations resumed, but acceptance of higher ore prices was limited due to the decline in lithium carbonate prices, with most buyers adopting a wait-and-see attitude toward the higher quotes from small and medium-sized miners. Based on the current market demand for ore, lepidolite mine prices are likely to continue rising in the short term.