Brazil: Lithium Carbonate Market 2025

Lithium Carbonate Market Size in Brazil

The Brazilian lithium carbonate market soared to $X in 2021, growing by 27% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, consumption saw a significant expansion. Lithium carbonate consumption peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Lithium Carbonate Exports

Exports from Brazil

In 2021, exports of lithium carbonates from Brazil fell rapidly to X kg, shrinking by -28.8% on the year before. In general, exports, however, enjoyed significant growth. The exports peaked at X kg in 2020, and then contracted dramatically in the following year.

In value terms, lithium carbonate exports shrank to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed significant growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 87,457%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X, and then reduced in the following year.

Exports by Country

Uruguay (X kg) was the main destination for lithium carbonate exports from Brazil, accounting for a 33% share of total exports. Moreover, lithium carbonate exports to Uruguay exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Japan (X kg), twofold. India (X kg) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 12% share.

From 2015 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Uruguay totaled -62.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Japan (+17.4% per year) and India (+17.6% per year).

In value terms, Uruguay ($X) remains the key foreign market for lithium carbonates exports from Brazil, comprising 0.5% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Japan ($X), with a 0.1% share of total exports. It was followed by India, with less than 0.1% share.

From 2015 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Uruguay totaled -99.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Japan (-98.5% per year) and India (-98.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average lithium carbonate export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, jumping by 24% against the previous year. Overall, the export price enjoyed pronounced growth. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Chile ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to South Korea ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2015 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Chile (-45.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Lithium Carbonate Imports

Imports into Brazil

For the fifth consecutive year, Brazil recorded growth in overseas purchases of lithium carbonates, which increased by 10% to X kg in 2021. Overall, imports recorded a significant increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when imports increased by 231%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in 2021 and are likely to see steady growth in years to come.

In value terms, lithium carbonate imports reduced rapidly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a abrupt curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 735%. Imports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2021, the United States (X kg) constituted the largest supplier of lithium carbonate to Brazil, accounting for a 88% share of total imports. Moreover, lithium carbonate imports from the United States exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, China (X kg), more than tenfold.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from the United States stood at +423.5%.

In value terms, the United States ($X) constituted the largest supplier of lithium carbonates to Brazil, comprising 57% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by China ($X), with a 26% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from the United States totaled +12.9%.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average lithium carbonate import price amounted to $X per ton, waning by -29.4% against the previous year. In general, the import price showed a sharp decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when the average import price increased by 152% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while the price for the United States stood at $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (-18.2%).

Source: IndexBox Platform

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