China's spodumene concentrate imports in Aug dip in volume with lower prices  

Published: Sep 30, 2019 10:42
Domestic prices of spot spodumene concentrate are expected to move lower with prices of lithium salts given high inventories

SHANGHAI, Sep 30 (SMM) – China imported some 123,000 mt in physical content of spodumene concentrate in August, down 21.5% from a month ago, with the average import prices dipping 0.8% on the month to $630/mt, the latest customs data showed. 

No seaborne spodumene raw ore entered China last month. 

China's major lithium compounds producer Ganfeng Lithium remained the top importer of spodumene concentrate in August, as it took some 3,800 mt lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) from overseas, which was used to produce lithium salts. 

The average import price of the company remained the cheapest among that of other major importers, standing at $533.4/mt cif, given its imports of 7,300 mt in physical content of concentrate with a grade of only 3.8% at a price of $310.9/mt cif.

In China’s physical market, prices of spodumene concentrate are expected to move lower with prices of lithium salts given high inventories of the raw material. 

An SMM survey indicated that oversupply in the spot market kept weighing on psychological price levels of buyers and resulted in thin trades. 

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 to learn 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
India to build a six-month strategic stockpile of lithium, cobalt and rare earths as demand rises
12 hours ago
India to build a six-month strategic stockpile of lithium, cobalt and rare earths as demand rises
Read More
India to build a six-month strategic stockpile of lithium, cobalt and rare earths as demand rises
India to build a six-month strategic stockpile of lithium, cobalt and rare earths as demand rises
Amid sustained demand growth, India plans to build a strategic reserve of critical minerals including lithium, cobalt, nickel, copper and rare earths. The stockpile will be sized to cover six months of domestic consumption, aiming to guard against risks of global supply disruptions and sharp raw material price volatility. Led by India’s Ministry of Mines and Ministry of Heavy Industries, the reserve covers key raw materials essential for new energy vehicles, energy storage and the electronics sector, fields where India currently relies heavily on imports. At present, the United States, China, South Korea and other countries have already established strategic reserve systems for critical minerals.
12 hours ago
[Geely's Gan Jiayue: Zeekr 9X to enter markets in the Middle East, Central Asia, and Europe from Q3]
20 hours ago
[Geely's Gan Jiayue: Zeekr 9X to enter markets in the Middle East, Central Asia, and Europe from Q3]
Read More
[Geely's Gan Jiayue: Zeekr 9X to enter markets in the Middle East, Central Asia, and Europe from Q3]
[Geely's Gan Jiayue: Zeekr 9X to enter markets in the Middle East, Central Asia, and Europe from Q3]
On April 29, during Geely's Q1 2026 results conference, Gan Jiayue, CEO of Geely Auto Group, stated that the Zeekr 9X will be exported to the Middle East in June, launched in Central Asia in Q3, and enter the European market in Q4. Gan also revealed that the Zeekr 8X will be promoted in overseas markets from Q4 this year to Q1 next year. Data shows that in the first quarter, deliveries of the Zeekr 9X reached 22,000 units.
20 hours ago
[LG Energy Solution posts Q1 operating loss of 207.8 billion won]
20 hours ago
[LG Energy Solution posts Q1 operating loss of 207.8 billion won]
Read More
[LG Energy Solution posts Q1 operating loss of 207.8 billion won]
[LG Energy Solution posts Q1 operating loss of 207.8 billion won]
LG Energy Solution reported consolidated revenue of 6.6 trillion won in the first quarter, up 1.2% quarter-on-quarter (including approximately 189.8 billion won in North American production incentives). During the same period, it recorded an operating loss of 207.8 billion won. Shipments of pouch-type electric vehicle (EV) batteries declined due to inventory adjustments by major North American customers.
20 hours ago
China's spodumene concentrate imports in Aug dip in volume with lower prices   - Shanghai Metals Market (SMM)