Supply Side - Lithium carbonate production increased by 2,120 tons week-on-week to 20,358 tons, with July production up 5.8% to 85,690 tons[4] - The shutdown of the Ningde Jianshan Mine for three months and the review of mining rights in Yichun and Qinghai are impacting supply[4] - In June 2025, China's lithium ore imports decreased by 4.8% to 576,000 tons, with imports from Australia down 31% to approximately 256,000 tons[4] Cost and Pricing - The CIF price of imported spodumene concentrate rose week-on-week, leading to cost pressures for some lithium carbonate producers[4] - Lithium hydroxide manufacturers are facing significant cost pressures, while self-owned mines and salt lake enterprises have some profit support[4] Demand Side - Overall production in August increased by 7% for large battery manufacturers, with total battery production in June reaching 129.2 GWh, up 4.6% month-on-month and 51.4% year-on-year[5] - The introduction of vehicle replacement policies and the extension of the new energy vehicle purchase tax are expected to support rapid growth in China's new energy vehicle market[5] Inventory and Market Outlook - Lithium carbonate inventory increased by 465 tons at factories, 1,171 tons in the market, and 12,224 tons in futures[5] - The recent production cuts at the mining level and cautious purchasing behavior from downstream buyers suggest that lithium carbonate prices will continue to show strong fluctuations[5]