Lithium carbonate prices in China fell to CNY 170,000 per tonne from the two-year high of CNY 200,500 touched May 13th, as higher prices drove producers to restart mining activity. 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. Zimbabwe imposed export quotas for lithium concentrates and a full export ban to start next year, and stated exports would be allowed for processed lithium to stimulate the investment in local processing. New data from China showed that new energy vehicles output, the top source of lithium demand due to their batteries, rose by 5.5% annually to 1.32 million units, while sales rose by 9.7% to 1.34 million units. Demand also remained supported by Chinese investment in power infrastructure, recently consolidated with Beijing stating it would double national EV charging capacity to 180 gigawatts by 2027.

Lithium rose to 166,500 CNY/T on June 11, 2026, up 0.45% from the previous day. Over the past month, Lithium's price has fallen 16.75%, but it is still 174.53% 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 June 11 of 2026.

Lithium rose to 166,500 CNY/T on June 11, 2026, up 0.45% from the previous day. Over the past month, Lithium's price has fallen 16.75%, but it is still 174.53% 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 164199.68 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 181761.30 in 12 months time.



Price Day Month Year Date
Gold 4,159.63 87.71 2.15% -11.78% 22.85% Jun/11
Silver 66.24 2.843 4.49% -23.46% 82.28% Jun/11
Copper 6.36 0.1132 1.81% -1.89% 31.46% Jun/11
Steel 3,132.00 -13.00 -0.41% -2.40% 6.78% Jun/11
Lithium 166,500.00 750 0.45% -16.75% 174.53% Jun/11
Platinum 1,721.10 30.20 1.79% -18.78% 34.20% Jun/11
Iron Ore 101.60 -0.10 -0.10% -8.81% 6.08% Jun/11


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
166500.00 165750.00 5750000.00 39000.00 2017 - 2026 CNY/T Daily

News Stream
Lithium Falls to Near 2-Month Low
Lithium carbonate prices in China fell to CNY 163,000 per tonne in June, the lowest in nearly two months, as higher prices drove producers to restart mining activity. 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. Zimbabwe imposed export quotas for lithium concentrates and a full export ban to start next year, and stated exports would be allowed for processed lithium to stimulate the investment in local processing. Meanwhile, new data painted a mixed picture for electric vehicle demand. New energy vehicle sales in China fell by 7.5% annually to 950,000 units in May, although the market share for the sector rose to 62.9% in the period. Still, the demand outlook was supported by Chinese investment in power infrastructure, recently consolidated with Beijing stating it would double national EV charging capacity to 180 gigawatts by 2027.
2026-06-08
Lithium Extends Pullback
Lithium carbonate prices in China fell to CNY 170,000 per tonne from the two-year high of CNY 200,500 touched May 13th, as higher prices drove producers to restart mining activity. 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. Zimbabwe imposed export quotas for lithium concentrates and a full export ban to start next year, and stated exports would be allowed for processed lithium to stimulate the investment in local processing. New data from China showed that new energy vehicles output, the top source of lithium demand due to their batteries, rose by 5.5% annually to 1.32 million units, while sales rose by 9.7% to 1.34 million units. Demand also remained supported by Chinese investment in power infrastructure, recently consolidated with Beijing stating it would double national EV charging capacity to 180 gigawatts by 2027.
2026-06-03
Lithium Holds Retreat from 2-Year High
Lithium carbonate prices in China were near CNY 180,000 per tonne, below the two-year high of CNY 200,500 from May 13th as higher prices drove producers to restart mining activity. 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. Zimbabwe imposed export quotas for lithium concentrates and a full export ban to start next year, and stated exports would be allowed for processed lithium to stimulate the investment in local processing. On the demand front, New data in top consumer China showed that new energy vehicles output, the top source of lithium demand due to their batteries, rose by 5.5% annually to 1.32 million units, while sales rose by 9.7% to 1.34 million units. Demand also remained supported by Chinese investment in power infrastructure, recently consolidated with Beijing stating it would double national EV charging capacity to 180 gigawatts by 2027.
2026-06-01