Actual
146750
Daily Change
-750.00 -0.51%
Monthly
1.56%
Yearly
96.30%
Q3 Forecast
153241
Lithium - Summary

Lithium carbonate prices in China fell to CNY 147,000 per tonne in September, the lowest in nearly one month, as the outlook of higher production in Australia offset supply uncertainty in China. Industry players reiterated the outlook of ample supply from major producers to maintain the ongoing supply surplus through the next decade. These were led by Australian lithium producers, with Mineral Resources restarting its Bald Hill lithium mine following an 18-month suspension, while Core Lithium restarted its Finniss project. A sharper pullback was prevented by more disruption in CATL's Jianxiawo mine, China's largest by capacity and responsible for 4% of global supply. Chinese authorities revoked their environmental approvals for the mine to extend the period of permit hurdles for over one year, coinciding with Beijing's anti-involution campaign and efforts to combat producer overcapacity.

Lithium - Stats

Lithium fell to 147,500 CNY/T on September 7, 2026, down 2.96% from the previous day. Over the past month, Lithium's price has risen 2.08%, and is up 97.30% compared to the same time last year, 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 September 8 of 2026.

Lithium - Forecast

Lithium fell to 147,500 CNY/T on September 7, 2026, down 2.96% from the previous day. Over the past month, Lithium's price has risen 2.08%, and is up 97.30% compared to the same time last year, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. Lithium is expected to trade at 153241.33 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 170680.80 in 12 months time.



Price Day Month Year Date
Gold 4,433.23 28.25 0.64% 0.95% 22.22% Sep/08
Silver 67.00 0.855 1.29% 1.96% 63.88% Sep/08
Copper 6.72 0.0710 1.07% 1.85% 49.31% Sep/08
Steel 3,123.00 4.00 0.13% 4.27% 2.83% Sep/08
Lithium 146,750.00 -750 -0.51% 1.56% 96.30% Sep/08
Platinum 1,843.50 0.70 0.04% 5.13% 34.35% Sep/08
Iron Ore 99.57 0.15 0.15% 6.03% -4.71% Sep/04


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
147500.00 152000.00 5750000.00 39000.00 2017 - 2026 CNY/T Daily

News Stream
Lithium Drops to Near 1-Month Low
Lithium carbonate prices in China fell to CNY 147,000 per tonne in September, the lowest in nearly one month, as the outlook of higher production in Australia offset supply uncertainty in China. Industry players reiterated the outlook of ample supply from major producers to maintain the ongoing supply surplus through the next decade. These were led by Australian lithium producers, with Mineral Resources restarting its Bald Hill lithium mine following an 18-month suspension, while Core Lithium restarted its Finniss project. A sharper pullback was prevented by more disruption in CATL's Jianxiawo mine, China's largest by capacity and responsible for 4% of global supply. Chinese authorities revoked their environmental approvals for the mine to extend the period of permit hurdles for over one year, coinciding with Beijing's anti-involution campaign and efforts to combat producer overcapacity.
2026-09-07
Lithium Rebounds to 1-Month High
Lithium prices in China rose to over CNY 150,000 per tonne in August, the highest in one month, as signs of growing demand offset the recent respite to supply. Chinese efforts at electrification of its economy drove local governments to pile on projects to develop electricity storage infrastructure in tandem with renewable power generation sources. Such projects were recently headlined by the Medog Hydropower Station and Beijing's announcement that it would double national EV charging capacity to 180 gigawatts by 2027. In turn, industry players highlighted uncertainty in the pace of operations to be restarted by CATL's Jianxiawo mine. Activity in the major lithium source was suspended last year as Beijing refrained from renewing its license, aligned with policymakers' efforts to combat producer deflation. Limiting the rebound, Mineral Resources will restart its Australian Bald Hill lithium mine following an 18-month suspension, while Core Lithium restarted its Finniss project.
2026-08-19
Lithium Falls to 6-Month Low
Lithium carbonate prices fell to CNY 140,000 in August, their lowest in nearly six months, as downside consumption risks combined with higher global supply. China said it would end tax exemptions for lithium-ion batteries to rein in a race to the bottom between manufacturers. Industry reports in China indicated that competition between EV battery producers to retain market share drove companies to increase their production schedules, leading to higher lithium sourcing before the announcement. In turn, CATL's Jianxiawo mine, among the largest in the world, cleared security permits to restore activity following its prolonged suspension. On top of that, higher lithium prices since the start of the year drove Australian miners to restore operations. Mineral Resources will restart its Bald Hill lithium mine following an 18-month suspension, while Core Lithium restarted its Finniss project, making up for shortages elsewhere.
2026-08-03