This week, the center of spot transaction prices for lithium carbonate shifted downward. The weekly average price of battery-grade lithium carbonate was 75,100 yuan/mt, and that of industrial-grade lithium carbonate was 71,800 yuan/mt, with a decline of around 500 yuan/mt WoW.
Based on the current market transaction situation, as this week falls within a special year-end period, some companies are involved in year-end financial reporting, leading to weaker purchasing sentiment. Moreover, in January 2025, there are signs of a dual decline in the supply and demand of lithium carbonate. Some upstream lithium chemical plants have maintenance plans, and under the pessimistic impact of weakened downstream demand, lithium carbonate production in January is expected to decrease by 9% MoM. Downstream material plants have gradually completed pre-Chinese New Year inventory stocking, and combined with the anticipated decline in January production schedules, purchasing sentiment has weakened. Considering the dual decline in supply and demand for lithium carbonate, along with the available inventory levels, the spot price of lithium carbonate is expected to exhibit sideways movement.
