Chinese Lithium Carbonate Imports Rose 50% MoM in Nov with Imports from Chile Returning to Normal

SHANGHAI, Dec 22 (SMM) - According to customs data, Chinese lithium carbonate imports stood at 12,412 mt in November, up 50% MoM and 203% YoY. In terms of country of origin, imports from Chile added 69% MoM, but those from Argentina fell 31% MoM. The average import price stood at $53,673/mt in November 2022, an increase of 6% month-on-month and 298% year-on-year.

Among them, the average price of imported lithium carbonate from Chile was $56,296/mt, a slight increase of 1% from October. In terms of the destinations of the imports, 51% of Chinese total imports of lithium carbonate went to Shanghai, 37% to Guangdong, 6% to Jiangsu, and 4% to Fujian. The imports totalled 125,216 mt from January to November 2022, a year-on-year increase of 70%.

China exported 8,877 mt of lithium hydroxide in November 2022, a month-on-month drop of 9% and year-on-year increase of 49%. Among them, exports to South Korea fell 18% from the previous month, and those to Japan rose 6% MoM. The average export price was $48,652/mt in November 2022, a gain of 3% month-on-month and a surge of 286% year-on-year. The average price of lithium hydroxide exported to South Korea was $59,408/mt, and that exported to Japan was $28,620/mt. From January to November 2022, Chinese exports of lithium hydroxide totalled 84,620 mt, a year-on-year increase of 28%.

China imported 350,341 mt of spodumene concentrate in physical content in November 2022, up 63% on the month. The imports from Australia recorded 298,523 mt, accounting for about 85% of the monthly import volume. In terms of the destinations of the imports, 53% of imports went to Sichuan province, 22% Jiangxi province, 12% Shanghai, and 7% Jiangsu province. From January to November 2022, the combined imports of spodumene concentrate stood at 2,532,164 mt in physical content (equivalent to about 316,500 mt LCE).