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

In April, China's customs data showed import volume of lithium concentrate stood at 441,309 mt in physical content.

In the short term, there is an oversupply of lithium, leading to a decrease in the price of lithium carbonate and energy storage batteries. However, there is an expected increase in global new energy vehicle sales, which will drive up the demand for energy storage batteries. The global lithium carbonate production capacity is expected to exceed 2 million tons in 2024, leading to the risk of high-cost lithium production capacity being eliminated. In the short term, there may be a slowdown in downstream demand for lithium due to early reserve in power and energy storage industries, but with the recovery in demand, positive electrode material production is expected to increase. Additionally, events like early orders for positive electrode materials and the cancellation of futures contracts may impact the market in the short term, and market participants need to closely monitor these trends and take appropriate measures.

The latest data released by Ukrainian Customs revealed a rise by 2.36 times YoY and 94% MoM to 3.115 million mt in exports in January 2024. 

The fuel depot explosion in Conakry, Guinea, during the week ending December 28th, caused fuel sale restrictions and sparked worries about Guinean bauxite output stability and potential impacts on domestic alumina production.

China's November exports of aluminium semis rose 6.5% MoM and 4.03% YoY to 452,000 mt.

China's exports of silicones in primary forms were 36,600 mt in November, up 5% MoM and 41.86% YoY, bringing up total exports in the first eleven months of 2023 to 375,500 mt, down 11.58% YoY.

According to Chinese customs data, China imported 66 mt of lithium hexafluorophosphate in September, with a total import value of $984,201.

In September, China's import volume of spodumene concentrate skyrocketed to 490,000 mt, up 119% MoM and 105% YoY.

Customs data shows that from January to September 2023, China’s primary aluminum imports rose significantly by 163.93% YoY to 956,100 mt.

Last week, the SHFE/LME zinc price ratio fluctuated around 8.5. Visible LME zinc inventories will increase after deliveries.