China's June Lithium Salt Trade Data: Significant Increases in Lithium Carbonate Imports and Prices
AI summary card
China's June Lithium Salt Trade Data: Significant Increases in Lithium Carbonate Imports and Prices
J.P. Morgan data show that China's lithium carbonate import volume increased 46% year over year in June 2026, while the average import price rose 95% year over year; lithium hydroxide export volume declined 4% year over year, but the average export price doubled year over year.
- June lithium carbonate imports were 25.9kt, compared with 17.7kt in the same period last year.
- China's year-to-date net lithium carbonate imports in 2026 were 177kt, up 53.5% year over year.
- China's June lithium hydroxide exports were 6.0kt, below 6.3kt in the same period last year; year to date in 2026, China was a net importer of lithium hydroxide, with net imports of 8.9kt.
- The average lithium carbonate import price in June was $19,695/t, up 4% month over month and 95% year over year.
- China's average lithium hydroxide export price in June was $21,663/t, up 9% month over month and 100% year over year.
Report interpretation
Overview
This report tracks China's June 2026 lithium salt import and export data, focusing on monthly trade volumes, year-to-date net import and export changes, and import and export prices for lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide. The report shows a significant year-over-year increase in both lithium carbonate import volume and prices, while lithium hydroxide export volume declined slightly year over year but export prices rose sharply.
Core views
The key message is that China's lithium salt trade structure continues to change: demand for imported lithium carbonate remains strong, with a high year-over-year increase in year-to-date net imports in 2026; for lithium hydroxide, China's June export volume declined year over year, and China had become a net importer year to date. On the pricing side, lithium carbonate import prices and lithium hydroxide export prices were both close to double their levels in the same period last year, indicating a significant improvement in the lithium salt trade pricing environment compared with 2025.
Analysis framework
The report uses historical import and export data comparisons, comparing monthly and year-to-date changes in China's lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide exports, imports, net imports and exports, and prices, while using year-over-year and month-over-month metrics to characterize trade volume and price trends.
Methodology notes
Use monthly and year-to-date changes in trade volumes, net imports and exports, and average prices to assess supply-demand and price trends.
The report compares June 2026 data with the previous month and the same period last year, while also citing annual historical net import and export data from 2021 to 2025 to observe changes in China's lithium salt trade structure.
Asset mapping & comparison
Structured mapping from thesis to named assets (strengths, weaknesses, peers, risks).
- lithium carbonateChina's import volume and import price are key subjects tracked in the report.
- Strengths
- June import volume increased 46% year over year, 2026 year-to-date net imports increased 53.5% year over year, and the average import price rose 95% year over year.
- Weaknesses
- The report does not provide data on end-market demand, inventories, or capacity utilization, making it difficult to assess the sustainability of the price increase in isolation.
- Comparison
- China's 2025 net lithium carbonate imports were 237.7kt, up only 2.8% from 2024; the 2026 year-to-date growth rate is significantly higher.
- Risks
- If supply increases, demand slows, or import prices decline subsequently, the current improvement in volume and price may not continue.
- lithium hydroxideChina's export volume, net imports and exports, and export price are another major focus of the report.
- Strengths
- The June average export price was $21,663/t, up 9% month over month and 100% year over year.
- Weaknesses
- June export volume declined 4% year over year, and China was a net importer year to date in 2026, indicating weaker export momentum than at historical highs.
- Comparison
- China's 2025 net lithium hydroxide exports were 35.4kt, down 69% from 2024; year to date in 2026, China had further shifted to net imports.
- Risks
- Overseas demand, product certification, regional supply chain changes, and price volatility may continue to affect export volumes.
- lithium-related chemical and resource stocksThe report does not provide direct stock recommendations, but the data can serve as an indicator for tracking the performance of companies in the lithium industry chain.
- Strengths
- The significant year-over-year improvement in lithium salt prices could benefit a reassessment of the earnings sensitivity of related companies.
- Weaknesses
- The report is a data update rather than in-depth company research and does not disclose company-level sales volumes, costs, profits, or valuation estimates.
- Comparison
- Albemarle Corporation (ALB) and other chemical companies appear in the coverage universe, but this report provides no rating change for any individual company.
- Risks
- There is a lag between commodity prices, trade flows, and company earnings, and companies are affected differently by product mix and cost curves.
Key data
- June lithium carbonate import volume25.9ktUp 46% year over year, compared with 17.7kt in the same period last year.
- 2026 year-to-date net lithium carbonate imports177ktUp 53.5% year over year.
- China's June lithium hydroxide export volume6.0ktDown 4% year over year, compared with 6.3kt in the same period last year.
- China's 2026 year-to-date net lithium hydroxide imports8.9ktThe report states that China was a net importer of lithium hydroxide year to date.
- June average lithium carbonate import price$19,695/tUp 4% month over month and 95% year over year; May was $18,993/t, versus $10,121/t in June 2025.
- China's June average lithium hydroxide export price$21,663/tUp 9% month over month and 100% year over year; May was $19,856/t, versus $10,858/t in June 2025.
- 2025 net lithium carbonate imports237.7ktUp 2.8% from 2024.
- 2025 net lithium hydroxide exports35.4ktDown 69% from 2024.
Impact & implications
From an investment perspective, the data are supportive of the lithium salt price chain: stronger lithium carbonate import demand combined with a sharp year-over-year increase in import prices could improve the revenue environment for upstream lithium resource and lithium salt companies; however, lower lithium hydroxide export volumes and China's shift to net imports also indicate changes in regional supply and demand, product mix, and export competitiveness, which require validation through subsequent monthly trade volumes, inventories, and end-market battery demand.
Risks
- Lithium salt price volatility could make monthly data misleading for assessing trends.
- The report does not provide inventory, capacity, end-market battery demand, or company earnings data, so investment conclusions require additional validation.
- The year-over-year decline in lithium hydroxide export volume and net import status may reflect changes in product mix or regional demand.
- Historical trade data are not equivalent to forecasts of future prices or earnings.
What to watch
- Whether China's subsequent monthly lithium carbonate imports and net imports remain above the same period last year.
- Whether lithium carbonate import prices and lithium hydroxide export prices remain elevated year over year.
- Whether lithium hydroxide remains in a net import position and whether export volumes can recover.
- The transmission of lithium salt price changes to the earnings of lithium resource, lithium salt processing, and battery materials companies.