China’s Lithium Carbonate Imports Surge in July 2025: A Comprehensive Analysis

According to the latest data from the Shanghai Metals Market (SMM), China’s lithium carbonate imports reached 12,300 tons in July 2025, marking a 15.6% increase from the previous month. This surge in imports can be attributed to the growing demand for lithium-ion batteries, which are used in a wide range of applications, including electric vehicles, consumer electronics, and renewable energy systems. The increase in imports is also a result of the country’s efforts to secure a stable supply of lithium, a key component in the production of lithium-ion batteries. China is the world’s largest consumer of lithium, and the government has been actively promoting the development of the new energy vehicle industry, which has led to a significant increase in demand for lithium-ion batteries. The SMM analysis also revealed that the average import price of lithium carbonate in July 2025 was 74,000 yuan per ton, down 1.4% from the previous month. The decrease in price can be attributed to the increase in global supply, as well as the weakening demand from the downstream sector. Despite the decrease in price, the total import value of lithium carbonate in July 2025 reached 910 million yuan, up 14.1% from the previous month. The top countries of origin for China’s lithium carbonate imports in July 2025 were Chile, Argentina, and Australia, which accounted for 43.1%, 26.5%, and 15.6% of the total imports, respectively. The SMM analysis also noted that the import volume of lithium carbonate from Chile increased by 21.1% from the previous month, while the import volume from Argentina decreased by 10.5%. The decrease in imports from Argentina can be attributed to the country’s export restrictions, as well as the increase in domestic demand. The SMM also reported that the inventory level of lithium carbonate in China’s ports reached 23,300 tons in July 2025, up 12.1% from the previous month. The increase in inventory level can be attributed to the surge in imports, as well as the slower-than-expected demand from the downstream sector. The SMM analysis also noted that the lithium carbonate market in China is expected to remain stable in the short term, with the price range expected to be between 70,000-80,000 yuan per ton. However, the market is expected to face challenges in the long term, due to the increasing competition from other countries, as well as the potential oversupply of lithium carbonate. The Chinese government has been actively promoting the development of the lithium-ion battery industry, with a focus on increasing the production capacity and reducing the dependence on imports. The government has also implemented policies to encourage the development of new energy vehicles, which is expected to drive the demand for lithium-ion batteries. The SMM analysis also noted that the lithium carbonate market in China is expected to be influenced by the global market trends, as well as the domestic demand and supply dynamics. The increase in demand for lithium-ion batteries is expected to drive the growth of the lithium carbonate market in China, with the market size expected to reach 1.3 million tons by 2025. The SMM also reported that the lithium carbonate market in China is highly competitive, with a large number of players operating in the market. The top players in the market include Ganfeng Lithium, Jiangxi Ganfeng Lithium, and Tianqi Lithium, which account for a significant share of the market. The SMM analysis also noted that the lithium carbonate market in China is expected to face challenges in the future, due to the increasing competition and the potential oversupply of lithium carbonate. However, the market is expected to remain stable in the short term, with the price range expected to be between 70,000-80,000 yuan per ton.

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