Report Information - Report Title: Carbonate Lithium Futures Monthly Report [1] - Date: October 10, 2025 [2] - Researcher: Zhang Ping, Yu Feifei, Peng Jinglin [3][4] Report Industry Investment Rating - No information provided. Core Viewpoints - In October, domestic carbonate lithium supply is expected to exceed 110,000 tons, with demand continuing to be strong. The demand growth rate is expected to be faster than the supply growth rate, and social inventory is likely to decrease. Considering cost support and uncertainties in the Yichun mining area, the price of carbonate lithium futures is expected to move upward, with a bottom support at 72,000 yuan [8][11]. Summary by Directory 1. Market Review and Future Outlook - Market Review: In September, the main carbonate lithium contract fluctuated weakly, with a monthly decline of 5.68%. The total position decreased by 8.9% to 678,000 lots. The spot lithium price followed the futures price, with a monthly decline of 7.7%. The social inventory decreased by 4,311 tons, indicating a turning point [10]. - Future Outlook: In October, domestic carbonate lithium supply is expected to exceed 110,000 tons. Demand is expected to continue to grow, and the demand growth rate is likely to be faster than the supply growth rate. Social inventory is expected to decrease further. The price of carbonate lithium futures is expected to move upward, with a bottom support at 72,000 yuan [11]. 2. Supply and Demand Analysis - Lithium Ore: By the end of September, the price of Australian ore with 6% lithium content decreased by 7% to $835/ton. In August, domestic lithium ore imports decreased by 17.5% month-on-month. Chinese lithium ore production decreased due to a significant reduction in lithium mica output. In the future, Australian ore supply is expected to increase steadily, African lithium ore production is growing, and American lithium ore supply is expected to increase slightly. Chinese lithium ore production is also expected to increase [15][16][17]. - Future Lithium Ore Supply Increment: In 2025, Australian ore production is expected to reach 479,000 tons of LCE, African lithium ore production is expected to increase by 64,000 tons of LCE to 267,000 tons of LCE, American lithium ore supply is expected to increase by 9,000 tons to 81,000 tons of LCE, and Chinese lithium ore production is expected to reach 255,000 tons of LCE. In 2026, the supply of lithium ore from various regions is expected to continue to increase [21][24][26]. - High Growth in Carbonate Lithium Production Despite Salt Factory Losses: In September, domestic carbonate lithium production reached a record high of 87,260 tons, a year-on-year increase of 52% and a month-on-month increase of 2%. In August, carbonate lithium imports increased significantly. Although salt factories are operating at a loss, carbonate lithium production continues to grow. In October, carbonate lithium production is expected to exceed 90,000 tons [29]. - Future Carbonate Lithium Supply Increment: In 2025, global carbonate lithium production is expected to increase by 310,000 tons, and in 2026, it is expected to increase by 275,000 tons [33]. 3. Demand Side: High Growth of Lithium Batteries Driven by New Energy Vehicles and Energy Storage Demand - Increase in Cathode Material Production and Price Resistance: By the end of September, the prices of cathode materials showed mixed trends. In September, the production of cathode materials increased, with lithium iron phosphate leading the way. In October, the production of ternary cathode materials and lithium iron phosphate is expected to continue to increase [35][36]. - Increase in Lithium Battery Price and Quantity and Good Export Performance: By the end of September, the prices of lithium batteries increased. In September, Chinese lithium battery production increased significantly, and exports continued to increase. The inventory of lithium batteries decreased [47][48]. - New Energy Vehicle Sales Growth Led by China and Europe: From January to August, global new energy vehicle sales increased by 29.5% year-on-year to 13.286 million units. In 2025, global new energy vehicle sales are expected to increase by 32% year-on-year to 23.56 million units, and in 2026, the growth rate is expected to drop to 24% [56][58]. - High Growth in the Energy Storage Field Unaffected by Policy Disturbances: In 2025, the global new energy storage installation is expected to reach 328 GWh, driving an increase in energy storage battery demand of 274 GWh to 644 GWh. In 2026, the global new energy storage installation is expected to reach 420 GWh [59][60]. 4. Carbonate Lithium Production Cost Analysis - The production costs of carbonate lithium from different raw materials vary significantly. In the third quarter of 2025, the integrated costs of mica, spodumene, and salt lake all decreased slightly. The current cost support level for carbonate lithium is around 62,000 yuan [61]. 5. Supply and Demand Balance Sheet - In August, domestic social inventory decreased by 590 tons to 141,100 tons, indicating a turning point. In September, domestic carbonate lithium production is expected to decline slightly, and social inventory is expected to decrease further [63][64].
碳酸锂期货月报：需求旺盛，锂价易涨难跌-20251010
Jian Xin Qi Huo·2025-10-10 02:26