According to the data monitored by the business community, the prices of industrial and battery grade lithium carbonate continued to decline this week, and the number of enterprises whose prices fell gradually increased. As of November 24, the average domestic mixed price of industrial lithium carbonate was 581000 yuan/ton, a decrease of 1.02% compared with the average price of 587000 yuan/ton on November 20. On November 24, the average domestic mixed price of battery grade lithium carbonate was 597,000 yuan/ton, down 1.16% compared with the average price of 604,000 yuan/ton on November 20.

From the observation of market changes, lithium carbonate prices still showed a downward trend this week, and the market showed a downward expectation. In terms of supply, the products of major mainstream manufacturers are mainly based on long-term cooperation. In order to ensure supply, there is basically no external goods. However, as the temperature gradually decreases in winter, salt lake enterprises in Qinghai may be affected by this, and the price of lithium carbonate may play a supporting role.

In terms of demand, the end market rush in the fourth quarter came to an end, and the demand for power end market weakened and the heat gradually decreased. It is understood that the output of downstream cathode material plants and lithium iron enterprises has declined, which has also driven the overall demand for lithium carbonate to weaken. The market procurement is in a state of rigid demand, and the mood is still mainly wait-and-see.

The price of lithium hydroxide in the downstream is stable. From the perspective of cost, the price of spodumene in the upstream is high, which still supports the cost. At present, the spot market is dominated by just in demand transactions, but with the reduction of downstream battery plants, the ternary demand situation is not as expected, and the price of lithium hydroxide is mainly stable for the time being.

The price of lithium iron phosphate in the downstream is stable. Recently, the overall price trend of lithium salt and iron phosphate, the two main materials of lithium iron phosphate, is stable, and the cost of lithium iron phosphate is stable. At present, the demand for lithium iron at the energy storage end is still high. However, under the strong uncertainty of future demand, some lithium iron enterprises have tightened production scheduling and are cautious in purchasing.

Lithium carbonate analysts from the business community believe that the market’s willingness to receive goods is relatively conservative due to the weakness of downstream demand in the near future, and the loose market quotation has led to the rising of market gaming sentiment. However, due to the weakening of the market output in winter and the support of the high auction price of the ore end, it is expected that the price of lithium carbonate will remain high in the short term.