U.S.: Lithium Oxide Market 2025

Lithium Oxide Market Size in the U.S.

The U.S. lithium oxide market fell notably to $X in 2021, shrinking by -39.2% against the previous year. Overall, consumption continues to indicate a mild shrinkage. Lithium oxide consumption peaked at $X in 2020, and then fell sharply in the following year.

Lithium Oxide Production in the U.S.

In value terms, lithium oxide production reached $X in 2021. Overall, the total production indicated a perceptible expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% 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 -3.1% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 24%. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Lithium Oxide Exports

Exports from the U.S.

In 2021, lithium oxide exports from the United States surged to X tons, with an increase of 42% against the year before. In general, total exports indicated a temperate increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +1.7% against 2016 indices. The exports peaked at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, lithium oxide exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports posted a prominent increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 53% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Japan (X tons) was the main destination for lithium oxide exports from the United States, accounting for a 57% share of total exports. Moreover, lithium oxide exports to Japan exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Belgium (X tons), sixfold. Germany (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Japan stood at +2.1%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Belgium (+5.2% per year) and Germany (+5.7% per year).

In value terms, Japan ($X) remains the key foreign market for lithium oxides exports from the United States, comprising 57% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($X), with a 9.5% share of total exports. It was followed by Belgium, with an 8.5% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Japan stood at +6.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (+13.1% per year) and Belgium (+12.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average lithium oxide export price amounted to $X per ton, surging by 4.6% against the previous year. In general, export price indicated a perceptible expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 an increase of 24%. The export price peaked 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 destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Taiwan (Chinese) ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Canada ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Germany (+7.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Lithium Oxide Imports

Imports into the U.S.

Lithium oxide imports into the United States skyrocketed to X tons in 2021, increasing by 24% on the previous year. Overall, total imports indicated a noticeable expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +86.7% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 43% against the previous year. Imports peaked in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, lithium oxide imports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports enjoyed a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 141% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Chile (X tons) constituted the largest lithium oxide supplier to the United States, accounting for a 83% share of total imports. Moreover, lithium oxide imports from Chile exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Russia (X tons), sevenfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Germany (X tons), with a 2% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Chile amounted to +1.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Russia (+48.8% per year) and Germany (+91.5% per year).

In value terms, Chile ($X) constituted the largest supplier of lithium oxides to the United States, comprising 81% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Russia ($X), with a 16% share of total imports. It was followed by China, with a 1.5% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from Chile amounted to +5.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Russia (+63.5% per year) and China (-9.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average lithium oxide import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, with an increase of 3.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price recorded a noticeable expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the average import price increased by 68% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Russia (+9.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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