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U.S. - Lithium Carbonate - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights
Report Update: May 1, 2025

U.S. - Lithium Carbonate - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights

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Feb 2, 2025

Lithium Carbonate Imports to the U.S. Drop Significantly to $224M in 2024

U.S. Lithium Carbonate Imports

In 2024, overseas purchases of lithium carbonates decreased by -3.9% to 17K tons for the first time since 2020, thus ending a three-year rising trend. In general, total imports indicated a prominent expansion from 2014 to 2024: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, imports increased by +41.5% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 34%. Imports peaked at 17K tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2024, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, lithium carbonate imports contracted remarkably to $224M (IndexBox estimates) in 2024. Over the period under review, imports, however, posted prominent growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2022 when imports increased by 115% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $293M in 2023, and then declined dramatically in the following year.U.S. Lithium Carbonate Imports By Country (Million USD)

COUNTRYImport Value of Lithium Carbonate in U.S. (million USD)
20142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
Chile27.324.421.431.663.346.133.639.5108207143
Argentina15.535.956.248.752.846.039.334.251.481.577.0
China0.90.21.10.19.211.71.90.90.30.70.7
Others1.20.90.60.23.20.50.40.83.24.32.9
Total44.961.479.380.612910475.175.5162293224

Imports by Country

Chile (9.7K tons), Argentina (6.6K tons) and China (28 tons) were the main suppliers of lithium carbonate imports to the United States, with a combined 99% share of total imports.

From 2014 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Argentina (with a CAGR of +7.0%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

In value terms, Chile ($143M), Argentina ($77M) and China ($651K) constituted the largest lithium carbonate suppliers to the United States, with a combined 99% share of total imports.

Chile, with a CAGR of +18.0%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Import Prices by Country

In 2024, the lithium carbonate price stood at $13,541 per ton (CIF, US), dropping by -20.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed a strong increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2023 when the average import price increased by 68%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $17,059 per ton, and then reduced notably in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2024, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was China ($23,403 per ton), while the price for Argentina ($11,720 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2014 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+22.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the lithium carbonate market in the U.S.. Within it, you will discover the latest data on market trends and opportunities by country, consumption, production and price developments, as well as the global trade (imports and exports). The forecast exhibits the market prospects through 2030.

Product coverage:

    Country coverage:

    • United States

    Data coverage:

    • Market volume and value
    • Per Capita consumption
    • Forecast of the market dynamics in the medium term
    • Trade (exports and imports) in the U.S.
    • Export and import prices
    • Market trends, drivers and restraints
    • Key market players and their profiles

    Reasons to buy this report:

    • Take advantage of the latest data
    • Find deeper insights into current market developments
    • Discover vital success factors affecting the market

    This report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, and wholesalers, as well as for investors, consultants and advisors.

    In this report, you can find information that helps you to make informed decisions on the following issues:

    1. How to diversify your business and benefit from new market opportunities
    2. How to load your idle production capacity
    3. How to boost your sales on overseas markets
    4. How to increase your profit margins
    5. How to make your supply chain more sustainable
    6. How to reduce your production and supply chain costs
    7. How to outsource production to other countries
    8. How to prepare your business for global expansion

    While doing this research, we combine the accumulated expertise of our analysts and the capabilities of artificial intelligence. The AI-based platform, developed by our data scientists, constitutes the key working tool for business analysts, empowering them to discover deep insights and ideas from the marketing data.

    1. 1. INTRODUCTION

      Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business

      1. REPORT DESCRIPTION
      2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND THE AI PLATFORM
      3. DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
      4. GLOSSARY AND SPECIFIC TERMS

    2. 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

      A Quick Overview of Market Performance

      1. KEY FINDINGS
      2. MARKET TRENDSThis Chapter is Available Only for the Professional EditionPRO

    3. 3. MARKET OVERVIEW

      Understanding the Current State of The Market and its Prospects

      1. MARKET SIZE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
      2. MARKET STRUCTURE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
      3. TRADE BALANCE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
      4. PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
      5. MARKET FORECAST TO 2035

    4. 4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCTS FOR DIVERSIFICATION

      Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business

      1. TOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS
      2. BEST-SELLING PRODUCTS
      3. MOST CONSUMED PRODUCTS
      4. MOST TRADED PRODUCTS
      5. MOST PROFITABLE PRODUCTS FOR EXPORTS

    5. 5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES

      Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain

      1. TOP COUNTRIES TO SOURCE YOUR PRODUCT
      2. TOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES
      3. TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES
      4. LOW-COST EXPORTING COUNTRIES

    6. 6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS

      Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Export

      1. TOP OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR EXPORTING YOUR PRODUCT
      2. TOP CONSUMING MARKETS
      3. UNSATURATED MARKETS
      4. TOP IMPORTING MARKETS
      5. MOST PROFITABLE MARKETS

    7. 7. PRODUCTION

      The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry

      1. PRODUCTION VOLUME AND VALUE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)

    8. 8. IMPORTS

      The Largest Import Supplying Countries

      1. IMPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
      2. IMPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)
      3. IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)

    9. 9. EXPORTS

      The Largest Destinations for Exports

      1. EXPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
      2. EXPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)
      3. EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)

    10. 10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS

      The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles

    11. LIST OF TABLES

      1. Key Findings In 2024
      2. Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
      3. Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
      4. Per Capita Consumption: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
      5. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
      6. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
      7. Import Prices, By Country, 2012–2024
      8. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
      9. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
      10. Export Prices, By Country, 2012–2024

    12. LIST OF FIGURES

      1. Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
      2. Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
      3. Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, in Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
      4. Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, in Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
      5. Trade Balance, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
      6. Trade Balance, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
      7. Per Capita Consumption: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
      8. Market Volume Forecast to 2035
      9. Market Value Forecast to 2035
      10. Market Size and Growth, By Product
      11. Average Per Capita Consumption, By Product
      12. Exports and Growth, By Product
      13. Export Prices and Growth, By Product
      14. Production Volume and Growth
      15. Exports and Growth
      16. Export Prices and Growth
      17. Market Size and Growth
      18. Per Capita Consumption
      19. Imports and Growth
      20. Import Prices
      21. Production, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
      22. Production, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
      23. Imports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
      24. Imports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
      25. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
      26. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
      27. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
      28. Import Prices, By Country, 2012–2024
      29. Exports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
      30. Exports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
      31. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
      32. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
      33. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
      34. Export Prices, By Country, 2012–2024

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