China Lithium Carbonate Imports Rose 21% MoM in Aug

SHANGHAI, Sep 21 (SMM) - According to the General Administration of Customs, China lithium carbonate imports were 11,296 mt in August, up 21% MoM and 36% YoY mainly due to the recovery of import channels as well as steadily rising domestic demand. In terms of country of origin, imports from Chile added 23% MoM, but those from Argentina fell 8% MoM. The average import price stood at $71,362/mt in August 2022, an increase of 14% month-on-month and 938% year-on-year! Among them, the average price of imported lithium carbonate from Chile was $76,412/mt, a slight increase of 13% from July. In terms of the destinations, 48% of China’s total imports of lithium carbonate went to Shanghai, 24% Fujian, 19% Guangdong and 3% Zhejiang. The imports totalled 91,991 mt from January to August 2022, a year-on-year increase of 65%.

China exported 7,798 mt of lithium hydroxide in August 2022, a month-on-month drop of 20% and year-on-year increase of 7%. Among them, exports to South Korea fell 31% from the previous month, and those to Japan rose 6% MoM. The average export price was $44,923/mt in August 2022, a drop of 5% month-on-month and a surge of 362% year-on-year. The average price of lithium hydroxide exported to South Korea was $55,981/mt, and that exported to Japan was $32,160/mt. From January to August 2022, China’s exports of lithium hydroxide totalled 44,923 mt, a year-on-year increase of 26%.

China imported 258,419 mt of spodumene concentrate in August 2022, up 88% on the month and up 104% on the year. The imports from Australia recorded 232,497 mt, accounting for about 90% of the monthly import volume. In terms of the destinations, 39% of imports went to Sichuan province, 21% Jiangxi province, 16% Shanghai, and 9% Jiangsu province. From January to August 2022, the combined imports of spodumene concentrate stood at 1,723,008 mt (equivalent to about 215,000 mt of LCE).