According to the monitoring of the commodity market analysis system of Business Society, the prices of industrial grade lithium carbonate and battery grade lithium carbonate have shown an upward trend in recent times. On April 11, 2024, the average domestic mixed price of industrial grade lithium carbonate was 108800 yuan/ton, an increase of 1.68% compared to the average price of 107000 yuan/ton on April 1. On April 11th, the average domestic mixed price of battery grade lithium carbonate was 116800 yuan/ton, an increase of 0.69% compared to the average price of 116000 yuan/ton on April 1st.
By observing market changes, it can be seen that the price of lithium carbonate is still in an upward range recently. In terms of supply, currently, smelting enterprises generally have a clear reluctance to sell individual orders, and there is no significant change in the sentiment of individual orders supporting prices. Most lithium salt enterprises have raised their prices. In addition, salt lake enterprises currently have low inventory levels, and the overall production recovery pace of lithium salt recycling enterprises is generally slower than that of raw material lithium salt enterprises. This makes the overall supply of spot mobile goods tend to be tight.
In terms of demand, during the Qingming holiday, the trading status of the spot market was basically stagnant, and downstream enterprises such as positive electrodes basically maintained their normal production rhythm by consuming existing inventory. After the end of the holiday, downstream market inquiries are more active, and companies are more likely to purchase essential goods to replenish inventory, which also drives the overall transaction price focus to gradually increase.
The lithium hydroxide market has been operating with narrow fluctuations. Since April, the atmosphere in the lithium hydroxide market has been somewhat stagnant, and holders are flexible in quoting, mostly relying on observation. At the raw material level, the price of spodumene concentrate has slightly increased, and the upstream lithium carbonate market is relatively strong, which has boosted the lithium hydroxide market. Terminal demand has rebounded, and downstream positive electrode enterprises mainly purchase in demand. The overall market inquiry atmosphere is active, and actual transactions are average, with a strong wait-and-see attitude.
The downstream price of lithium iron phosphate is in a continuous upward trend. Since April, the market price of lithium iron phosphate has remained high and the trend has continued to be strong. The cost side price of iron phosphate is strongly supported, and there is still support for lithium carbonate. Moreover, downstream demand continues to remain high, the procurement atmosphere is good, the focus of negotiations remains high, and there is no pressure on inventory. Currently, downstream enterprises mainly rely on rigid procurement, with a relatively high factory operating rate. Small and medium-sized enterprises mainly focus on production and sales.
In terms of futures, the price of lithium carbonate futures has entered a volatile pattern, with the current strong basis and the narrowing of the price difference between industrial and battery grade, reflecting the tense situation of the spot market. On April 11th, the opening price of the LC2407 main contract was 115600 yuan/ton, the closing price was 112500 yuan/ton, and the highest price was 115700 yuan/ton, with a daily decline of 3.06%. The transaction volume was 195100 lots and the position was 180154 lots.
According to analysts from Shengyishe Lithium Carbonate, during the recent period of rising spot prices of lithium carbonate, the market has continued its strategy of purchasing on demand, resulting in an overall increase in the focus of transaction prices. However, some trading companies have also provided feedback that downstream companies have lower purchasing intentions and are more inclined to purchase low-priced quasi electric carbon and industrial carbon sources. This has also led to a gradually narrowing trend in the price difference between industrial grade lithium carbonate and battery grade lithium carbonate, and it is expected that the spot price of lithium carbonate will remain relatively strong in the short term.
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