United Arab Emirates: Lithium Carbonate Market 2025

Lithium Carbonate Market Size in the United Arab Emirates

In 2021, the lithium carbonate market in the United Arab Emirates increased by 76% to $X, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. In general, consumption continues to indicate a notable expansion. Lithium carbonate consumption peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Lithium Carbonate Exports

Exports from the United Arab Emirates

In 2021, shipments abroad of lithium carbonates decreased by -93.2% to X kg, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. In general, exports continue to indicate a precipitous decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when exports increased by 213%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, lithium carbonate exports contracted markedly to $X in 2021. Overall, exports faced a precipitous setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when exports increased by 221% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Saudi Arabia (X kg) was the main destination for lithium carbonate exports from the United Arab Emirates, with a 44% share of total exports. Moreover, lithium carbonate exports to Saudi Arabia exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Jordan (X kg), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by Oman (X kg), with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Saudi Arabia stood at -22.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Jordan (-45.3% per year) and Oman (-48.7% per year).

In value terms, Saudi Arabia ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for lithium carbonates exports from the United Arab Emirates, comprising 44% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Jordan ($X), with a 19% share of total exports. It was followed by Oman, with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Saudi Arabia stood at -26.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Jordan (-27.3% per year) and Oman (-40.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average lithium carbonate export price amounted to $X per ton, declining by -1.9% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 an increase of 103%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Iraq ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Lebanon ($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 Egypt (+3,419.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Lithium Carbonate Imports

Imports into the United Arab Emirates

In 2021, overseas purchases of lithium carbonates increased by 77% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after three years of decline. Overall, imports saw a slight increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 120%. Imports peaked in 2021 and are likely to continue growth in years to come.

In value terms, lithium carbonate imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. In general, imports posted a perceptible expansion. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Rwanda (X tons) constituted the largest lithium carbonate supplier to the United Arab Emirates, with a 37% share of total imports. Moreover, lithium carbonate imports from Rwanda exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Italy (X tons), threefold. Chile (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Rwanda was relatively modest. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Italy (+9.1% per year) and Chile (-3.6% per year).

In value terms, Italy ($X), Chile ($X) and the United States ($X) appeared to be the largest lithium carbonate suppliers to the United Arab Emirates, with a combined 46% share of total imports.

Italy, with a CAGR of +24.6%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average lithium carbonate import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, waning by -1.9% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, showed a temperate expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the average import price increased by 64% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Chile ($X per ton), while the price for Rwanda ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

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

Source: IndexBox Platform

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