Eastern Europe: Lithium Carbonate Market 2025

Lithium Carbonate Market Size in Eastern Europe

The East European lithium carbonate market surged to $X in 2021, jumping by 22% against the previous year. Overall, consumption recorded a significant expansion. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Lithium Carbonate Production in Eastern Europe

In value terms, lithium carbonate production dropped to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production posted strong growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the production volume increased by 61% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2020, and then reduced in the following year.

Lithium Carbonate Exports

Exports in Eastern Europe

In 2021, shipments abroad of lithium carbonates increased by 17% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. In general, exports, however, recorded a deep downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when exports increased by 117% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, lithium carbonate exports expanded to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a abrupt decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 190%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Poland was the main exporting country with an export of around X tons, which reached 58% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Lithuania (X tons), making up a 37% share of total exports. The following exporters - the Czech Republic (X tons) and Hungary (X tons) - each finished at a 3.9% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Lithuania (with a CAGR of +84.2%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

In value terms, the largest lithium carbonate supplying countries in Eastern Europe were Poland ($X), Lithuania ($X) and Hungary ($X), together accounting for 96% of total exports.

Among the main exporting countries, Lithuania, with a CAGR of +93.1%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Eastern Europe stood at $X per ton in 2021, declining by -11% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, posted a strong increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when the export price increased by 49%. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Hungary ($X per ton), while the Czech Republic ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Hungary (+12.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Lithium Carbonate Imports

Imports in Eastern Europe

For the fourth year in a row, Eastern Europe recorded growth in supplies from abroad of lithium carbonates, which increased by 22% to X tons in 2021. In general, imports posted a buoyant expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 211% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, lithium carbonate imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports saw a significant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when imports increased by 276% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Russia dominates imports structure, resulting at X tons, which was near 94% of total imports in 2021. The following importers - Poland (X tons) and Hungary (X tons) - each recorded a 3.8% share of total imports.

Imports into Russia increased at an average annual rate of +17.0% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Hungary (+20.1%) and Poland (+1.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Hungary emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Eastern Europe, with a CAGR of +20.1% from 2012-2021. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Russia increased by +7.7 percentage points. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Russia ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported lithium carbonates in Eastern Europe, comprising 86% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Hungary ($X), with a 5.1% share of total imports.

In Russia, lithium carbonate imports increased at an average annual rate of +23.3% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Hungary (+36.5% per year) and Poland (+9.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Eastern Europe amounted to $X per ton, dropping by -1.6% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, saw a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the import price increased by 38% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Hungary ($X per ton), while Russia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Hungary (+13.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :