Middle East: Lithium Carbonate Market 2025

Lithium Carbonate Market Size in the Middle East

For the third year in a row, the Middle Eastern lithium carbonate market recorded decline in sales value, which decreased by -35.7% to $X in 2021. Overall, consumption saw a deep setback. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Lithium Carbonate Production in the Middle East

In value terms, lithium carbonate production surged to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a noticeable increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production decreased by -12.3% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 33% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Lithium Carbonate Exports

Exports in the Middle East

Lithium carbonate exports soared to X tons in 2021, jumping by 26% against the year before. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a drastic downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 5,659% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, lithium carbonate exports soared to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, showed a abrupt decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 982% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Iran represented the largest exporter of lithium carbonates in the Middle East, with the volume of exports resulting at X tons, which was approx. 73% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Turkey (X tons) and Israel (X tons), together making up a 26% share of total exports.

Iran was also the fastest-growing in terms of the lithium carbonates exports, with a CAGR of +144.2% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Turkey (+10.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Israel (-13.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Iran (+73 p.p.) and Turkey (+16 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Turkey ($X), Iran ($X) and Israel ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, together accounting for 98% of total exports.

Among the main exporting countries, Iran, with a CAGR of +115.9%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 63% against the previous year. In general, the export price enjoyed a pronounced expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when the export price increased by 402% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Turkey (-0.1%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Lithium Carbonate Imports

Imports in the Middle East

In 2021, the amount of lithium carbonates imported in the Middle East contracted dramatically to X tons, falling by -41.3% compared with 2020. In general, imports faced a abrupt setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when imports increased by 24% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, lithium carbonate imports shrank dramatically to $X in 2021. Overall, imports saw a perceptible decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 57% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Turkey was the key importing country with an import of about X tons, which amounted to 83% of total imports. It was distantly followed by the United Arab Emirates (X tons), creating a 13% share of total imports. Iran (X tons) held a relatively small share of total imports.

Imports into Turkey decreased at an average annual rate of -11.1% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, the United Arab Emirates (+1.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the United Arab Emirates emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +1.5% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Iran (-2.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. The United Arab Emirates (+8.8 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Turkey saw its share reduced by -8.2% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported lithium carbonates in the Middle East, comprising 77% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United Arab Emirates ($X), with a 10% share of total imports.

In Turkey, lithium carbonate imports contracted by an average annual rate of -6.6% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United Arab Emirates (+4.9% per year) and Iran (+11.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, jumping by 24% against the previous year. Overall, the import price showed a strong expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the import price increased by 50%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2021, the import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Iran ($X per ton), while the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Iran (+14.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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