SMM

Lithium carbonate prices kept dropping. Companies buying lithium ore externally, with costs higher than sales prices, base their production on sales, lacking plans beyond long-term contracts. Upstream lithium salt firms and large trade companies primarily follow long-term contracts for stable shipments, with some selling at low prices. A recent large-scale sale by a salt lake factory has increased lithium carbonate spot supply. Amid falling prices, cathode material firms adopt a wait-and-see approach, replenishing stocks at low prices. Some aim to clear raw material inventory by year-end, limiting short-term market procurement demand. With an imbalance of lithium carbonate spot supply and demand, spot price downward pressure persists. Future focus will be market acceptance of the salt lake factory's lithium carbonate and high-cost lithium salt companies' production plans after consistent losses.