Chinese Lithium Carbonate Smelters Have Smaller Appetite for Overseas Spodumene Concentrate, April Customs Data Shows

SHANGHAI, May 24 (SMM) - In April 2023, China's spodumene concentrate imports were 334,743 physical mt (41,800 mt of LCE), a slight decrease of 1% from the previous month.

Imports from Australia were 290,765 mt, accounting for about 87% of total imports, a decrease of 11% compared to March.

38% of them went to Sichuan Province, 32% to Jiangxi Province, and 19% to Shanghai.

The sluggish import volume reflected cautious attitudes of Chinese lithium carbonate smelters in the face of low lithium carbonate prices in early and mid-April.