Lithium carbonate prices in China fell to CNY 150,000 per tonne in March, their lowest in a month, amid signs of a momentary pullback in battery demand. Electric vehicle sales by top Chinese manufacturer BYD tanked 40% annually in February, a reversal from the growing trend in the previous months to raise concerns that the Chinese EV market may be slowing. The data magnifies worries that higher energy costs due to war in the Middle East could hamper large manufacturers from building input goods inventories, driving industrial metals to pull back. Still, Chinese supply was also expected to remain muted due to Beijing's anti-involution campaign. Authorities have already canceled 27 mining permits in the lithium hub of Jiangxi, aligned with the earlier suspension of activity in CATL's Jianxiawo lithium mine. Also, Zimbabwe suspended exports of lithium concentrates to put pressure on consumers to set up their refining operations in the country.

Lithium rose to 156,500 CNY/T on March 26, 2026, up 2.62% from the previous day. Over the past month, Lithium's price has fallen 9.01%, but it is still 110.63% higher than a year ago, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. Historically, Lithium reached an all time high of 5750000 in December of 2022. Lithium - data, forecasts, historical chart - was last updated on March 26 of 2026.

Lithium rose to 156,500 CNY/T on March 26, 2026, up 2.62% from the previous day. Over the past month, Lithium's price has fallen 9.01%, but it is still 110.63% higher than a year ago, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. Lithium is expected to trade at 156725.18 CNY/T by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. Looking forward, we estimate it to trade at 173355.05 in 12 months time.



Price Day Month Year Date
Gold 4,377.30 -151.65 -3.35% -17.07% 43.25% Mar/26
Silver 67.38 -3.920 -5.50% -28.18% 95.73% Mar/26
Copper 5.42 -0.1055 -1.91% -9.68% 6.38% Mar/26
Steel 3,122.00 -9.00 -0.29% 1.56% -2.68% Mar/26
Lithium 156,500.00 4000 2.62% -9.01% 110.63% Mar/26
Platinum 1,806.20 -119.60 -6.21% -23.90% 82.70% Mar/26
Iron Ore 106.02 -0.08 -0.08% 7.06% 3.69% Mar/25


Lithium
Trading Economics provides Lithium pricing based on spot prices for Lithium Carbonate, 99.5% Li2CO3 min, battery grade, traded in China. Lithium is a silver-white light metal. Lithium hydroxide is used in batteries for electrical vehicles and mobile phones. Lithium hydroxide is produced from a chemical reaction between lithium carbonate and calcium hydroxide. The biggest lithium producers are Chile, China, Australia and Argentina. The largest lithium importers are China, Japan, South Korea and the United States.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
156500.00 152500.00 5750000.00 39000.00 2017 - 2026 CNY/T Daily

News Stream
Lithium Falls to 1-Month Low
Lithium carbonate prices in China fell to CNY 150,000 per tonne in March, their lowest in a month, amid signs of a momentary pullback in battery demand. Electric vehicle sales by top Chinese manufacturer BYD tanked 40% annually in February, a reversal from the growing trend in the previous months to raise concerns that the Chinese EV market may be slowing. The data magnifies worries that higher energy costs due to war in the Middle East could hamper large manufacturers from building input goods inventories, driving industrial metals to pull back. Still, Chinese supply was also expected to remain muted due to Beijing's anti-involution campaign. Authorities have already canceled 27 mining permits in the lithium hub of Jiangxi, aligned with the earlier suspension of activity in CATL's Jianxiawo lithium mine. Also, Zimbabwe suspended exports of lithium concentrates to put pressure on consumers to set up their refining operations in the country.
2026-03-20
Lithium Holds Pullback
Lithium carbonate prices in China were at CNY 155,000 per tonne in March, trading at a narrow range since pulling back from the one-month high of CNY 173,000 earlier this month amid softer demand. Electric vehicle sales by top Chinese manufacturer BYD tanked 40% annually in February, a reversal from the growing trend in the previous months to raise concerns that the Chinese EV market may be slowing. The data magnifies worries that higher energy costs due to war in the Middle East could hamper large manufacturers from building input goods inventories, driving industrial metals to pull back. Still, Chinese supply was also expected to remain muted due to Beijing's anti-involution campaign. Authorities have already canceled 27 mining permits in the lithium hub of Jiangxi, aligned with the earlier suspension of activity in CATL's Jianxiawo lithium mine. Also, Zimbabwe suspended exports of lithium concentrates to put pressure on consumers to set up their refining operations in the country.
2026-03-18
Lithium Declines from 1-Month High
Lithium carbonate futures in China fell to CNY 155,000 per tonne from the one-month high of 175,000 from late February amid signs of a pullback in demand. New data showed that electric vehicle sales by top Chinese manufacturer BYD tanked 40% annually in February, a reversal from the growing trend in the previous months to raise concerns that the Chinese EV market may be slowing. The data magnifies worries that higher energy costs due to war in the Middle East could hamper large manufacturers from building input goods inventories, driving industrial metals to pull back. Still, Chinese supply was also expected to remain muted due to Beijing's anti-involution campaign. Authorities have already canceled 27 mining permits in the lithium hub of Jiangxi, aligned with the earlier suspension of activity in CATL's Jianxiawo lithium mine. Also, Zimbabwe suspended exports of lithium concentrates to put pressure on consumers to set up their refining operations in the country.
2026-03-05