SMM Daily Review: Spot Lithium Carbonate Prices Fell Sharply on March 3

Published: Mar 3, 2026 16:50

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[SMM Daily Review: Spot Lithium Carbonate Prices Fell Sharply on March 3]

The SMM battery-grade lithium carbonate index price fell sharply from the previous working day. Futures side, after the most-traded contract opened at 170,000 yuan/mt in the morning session, it fluctuated downward throughout the session and at one point touched the limit-down price of 150,800 yuan/mt. It then rebounded slightly and hovered around 154,000 yuan/mt, but weakened again after the midday session and ultimately stayed locked at limit-down through the close. Open interest in the most-traded contract fell by about 39,000 lots from the previous trading day.

Actual transactions, upstream lithium chemical plants’ willingness to sell spot orders remained weak, with a clear sentiment to hold back sales. After prices fell rapidly in the morning, downstream material plants’ purchase willingness strengthened markedly, and most enterprises adopted a laddered order-placement strategy to buy on dips. Overall, market inquiries were active and transaction momentum increased significantly.

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