South-Eastern Asia: Lithium Carbonate Market 2025

Lithium Carbonate Market Size in South-Eastern Asia

In 2021, the Southeast Asian lithium carbonate market increased by 47% to $X for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Over the period under review, consumption, however, showed a noticeable decline. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Lithium Carbonate Production in South-Eastern Asia

In value terms, lithium carbonate production declined to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a significant expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 610%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Lithium Carbonate Exports

Exports in South-Eastern Asia

In 2021, approx. X tons of lithium carbonates were exported in South-Eastern Asia; dropping by -64.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate significant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when exports increased by 445%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2020, and then fell sharply in the following year.

In value terms, lithium carbonate exports contracted markedly to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a strong increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 369%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Thailand dominates exports structure, reaching X tons, which was approx. 92% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Singapore (X tons), making up a 6.9% share of total exports.

Thailand was also the fastest-growing in terms of the lithium carbonates exports, with a CAGR of +71.7% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Singapore (+2.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Thailand (+85 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Singapore saw its share reduced by -52.8% from 2012 to 2021, respectively.

In value terms, Thailand ($X) remains the largest lithium carbonate supplier in South-Eastern Asia, comprising 74% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Singapore ($X), with a 25% share of total exports.

In Thailand, lithium carbonate exports expanded at an average annual rate of +72.3% over the period from 2012-2021.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in South-Eastern Asia amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 15% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, saw a deep reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 61%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 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 Singapore ($X per ton), while Thailand stood at $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Thailand (+0.4%).

Lithium Carbonate Imports

Imports in South-Eastern Asia

In 2021, supplies from abroad of lithium carbonates was finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a deep contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 99% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, lithium carbonate imports surged to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when imports increased by 99%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Thailand was the major importer of lithium carbonates in South-Eastern Asia, with the volume of imports amounting to X tons, which was approx. 45% of total imports in 2021. Indonesia (X tons) took a 22% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Malaysia (19%) and Vietnam (13%).

Imports into Thailand decreased at an average annual rate of -12.9% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Indonesia (+17.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Indonesia emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in South-Eastern Asia, with a CAGR of +17.7% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Malaysia (-8.7%) and Vietnam (-9.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Indonesia (+20 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Thailand saw its share reduced by -19.2% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Thailand ($X), Malaysia ($X) and Indonesia ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together accounting for 88% of total imports.

Among the main importing countries, Indonesia, with a CAGR of +24.3%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in South-Eastern Asia stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 15% against the previous year. In general, the import price showed a resilient increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the import price increased by 29% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Malaysia (+19.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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