China Import and Export of Lithium Carbonate and Lithium Hydroxide in First Two Months of 2023

SHANGHAI, Mar 22 - China’s lithium carbonate imports were 11,869 mt in January, a month-on-month increase of 9% and year-on-year increase of 13%. Imports from Chile increased by 15% month-on-month, while those from Argentina decreased by 15% month-on-month. The average lithium carbonate import price stood at $61,367/mt in January 2023, an increase of 13% month-on-month and 405% year-on-year. Among them, the average price of imported lithium carbonate from Chile was $65,339/mt, a slight increase of 13% from December. In terms of the destinations of the imports, 41% of Chinese total imports of lithium carbonate went to Shanghai, 41% to Guangdong, 7% to Jiangsu, and 7% to Fujian.

China’s lithium carbonate imports were 9,438 mt in February, a month-on-month decrease of 20% but a year-on-year increase of 58%. Imports from Chile fell by 20% month-on-month, and those from Argentina decreased by 27% month-on-month. The average lithium carbonate import price stood at $79,454/mt in February 2023, an increase of 29% month-on-month and 367% year-on-year. The average price of imported lithium carbonate from Chile was $84,910/mt, a slight increase of 30% from January. In terms of the destinations, 57% of China’s total imports of lithium carbonate went to Shanghai, 14% to Guangdong, 13% to Fujian and 7% to Jiangsu. Thelithium carbonate imports totalled 21,307 mt from January to February 2023, a year-on-year increase of 30%.

China exported 9,627 mt of lithium hydroxide in January 2023, a month-on-month growth of 10% and year-on-year increase of 15%. Exports to South Korea rose 33% month-on-month, while exports to Japan fell 31% month-on-month. The average lithium hydroxide export price was $55,295/mt in January 2023, a drop of 18% month-on-month and a surge of 247% year-on-year. The average price of lithium hydroxide exported to South Korea was $61,478/mt, and that of lithium hydroxide exported to Japan was $33,936/mt.

China exported 10,344 mt of lithium hydroxide in February 2023, a month-on-month growth of 7% and year-on-year increase of 127%. Exports to South Korea rose 14% month-on-month, while exports to Japan fell 14% month-on-month. The average lithium hydroxide export price was $55,295/mt in February 2023, a drop of 18% month-on-month and a surge of 180% year-on-year. The average price of lithium hydroxide exported to South Korea was $64,370/mt, and that of lithium hydroxide exported to Japan was $45,372/mt. From January to February 2023, China’s exports of lithium hydroxide totalled 19,971 mt, a year-on-year increase of 70%.

China imported 363,789 mt of spodumene concentrate in physical content in January 2023, down 14% on the month. The imports from Australia recorded 328,486 mt, accounting for about 90% of Chinese monthly import volume. In terms of the destinations of the imports, 43% of imports went to Sichuan province, 27% Jiangxi province, 16% Shanghai, and 5% Jiangsu province.

China imported 314,576 mt of spodumene concentrate in physical content in February 2023, up 18% on the month. The imports from Australia recorded 265,159 mt, accounting for about 84% of Chinese monthly import volume. In terms of the destinations of the imports, 32% of imports went to Sichuan province, 29% Jiangxi province, 14% Shanghai, and 6% Jiangsu province. From January to February 2023, China's cumulative import volume of spodumene concentrate was 678,365 mt (equivalent to about 84,800 mt of LCE equivalent).