According to customs data, China's lithium hydroxide exports reached 4,222 mt in April, remaining basically flat MoM and decreasing by 61% YoY.
Of this, exports to South Korea amounted to 2,047 mt, accounting for 48% of China's total exports, decreasing by 6% MoM and 72% YoY. Exports to Japan reached 1,756 mt, accounting for 42% of China's total exports, decreasing by 7% MoM and 40% YoY. The average export price of lithium hydroxide in China was $14,297/mt in April, up 8% MoM. Since the beginning of 2025, weak overseas downstream demand, coupled with the partial transfer of overseas lithium hydroxide orders for domestic delivery, has led to a sustained low level of export volumes. Additionally, lithium hydroxide imports in the month amounted to 1,276 mt, decreasing by 35% MoM. Of this, imports from Australia and Argentina amounted to 1,094 mt, accounting for 86%, primarily due to the sales of inventory and output from Chinese-funded smelters in Australia and the production from salt lakes in Argentina.
Data source: General Administration of Customs, compiled by SMM
