[China's July spodumene imports down 3.8% month-on-month]

China imported 739,300 tonnes of lithium spodumene in July 2026, down 3.8% from 768,400 tonnes in June, according to customs data. The volume is equivalent to about 64,200 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE).

Key supplier performance:

Australia: 345,000 tonnes, down 7% month-on-month, mainly due to the natural pullback in shipping schedules after a year-end surge in June, which saw Australian spodumene shipments to China hit a record 530,000 tonnes.

Brazil: 116,000 tonnes, up 78% month-on-month, becoming the largest incremental supplier this month, with nearly 100,000 tonnes of low-grade ore fines.

South Africa: 109,000 tonnes, maintaining a steady shipping pace.

Mali: 38,300 tonnes, down 36% month-on-month.

Zimbabwe: 21,600 tonnes, down 48% month-on-month, marking the first batch of imports after the export ban came into effect, with volumes largely in line with expectations.

Nigeria: 104,700 tonnes, down 9.5% month-on-month, with concentrate accounting for over 75%.

Overall, July's import volume, together with high-volume lithium sulphate imports, continued to support robust domestic demand for lithium-bearing materials.