碳酸锂这次真的见底了吗？

Core Viewpoint - The price of lithium carbonate has experienced a dramatic decline, dropping nearly 90% from its peak of 570,000 yuan/ton in November 2022 to around 60,000 yuan/ton by June 2025, raising concerns about the sustainability of the lithium industry and its impact on related companies [1][6]. Price Trends - As of June 6, 2025, the main contract for lithium carbonate rose by 0.23% to 60,440 yuan/ton, marking the first weekly gain in two months [2]. - Despite the futures market showing signs of recovery, the spot market continues to decline, with prices hitting a new low of 60,180 yuan/ton on June 6, 2025, down 500 yuan/ton from the previous week [3]. Supply and Demand Dynamics - The rapid increase in supply since 2023 has outpaced demand growth, leading to a significant drop in prices despite the ongoing demand for lithium carbonate driven by the electric vehicle market [9][22]. - The apparent consumption of lithium carbonate in China is projected to grow from 667,000 tons in 2023 to 933,000 tons in 2024, indicating a continued demand increase [7]. Industry Expansion - The number of lithium mining concept stocks has surged from a few dozen before 2020 to 45 currently, reflecting significant capital inflow into the sector [12]. - Companies like Salt Lake Co. and Zijin Mining are expanding their production capacity despite the current price downturn, with Salt Lake Co. planning to double its capacity to 80,000 tons per year [15][16]. Cost Structure - The production costs for various lithium sources vary, with salt lake companies around 40,000 yuan/ton, while African and Jiangxi mines range from 60,000 to 80,000 yuan/ton [14]. - Salt Lake Co. claims a competitive edge with production costs as low as 35,000 yuan/ton, allowing them to expand even in a declining price environment [16]. Market Outlook - Analysts express skepticism about a near-term price recovery, citing ongoing supply surplus and high inventory levels in the market [24]. - The potential for high-cost production facilities to shut down could provide some support for prices, but the overall sentiment remains cautious regarding the industry's short-term stability [23][24].