On April 8th, the spot price of lithium carbonate slightly declined

Today, the spot price of battery-grade lithium carbonate in the SMM market slightly declined compared to the previous trading day. In futures, the main contract, lithium carbonate 2605, opened high at 160k yuan/ton today, surged to 163.3k yuan/ton in the early session, then quickly retreated and dipped to a low of 156.1k yuan/ton; during the session, the rebound was weak, and the market weakened again in the late trading, ultimately closing down 1.3% at 158.3k yuan/ton. By the close, open interest decreased by about 8,000 lots compared to the previous trading day. Today, the spot market’s upstream and downstream negotiations continue, with clear divergence in price expectations. On the upstream side, scattered offers and psychological expectations generally hold firm at 160k yuan/ton and above, but actual willingness to sell is weak; downstream material manufacturers maintain just-in-time procurement, with transactions concentrated around 157.5k yuan/ton. At the same time, when prices are near 156k yuan/ton, downstream purchasing willingness increases. Overall, market inquiry activity and transaction volume remain relatively stable. On the news front, ongoing export restrictions on lithium mines in Jiangxi and Zimbabwe continue to disturb market sentiment, leading to volatile lithium carbonate prices today. Looking ahead, the demand marginal increase driven by the release of new models in April, the potential impact of Middle Eastern geopolitical tensions on the global supply chain, and disruptions on the supply side will remain key variables influencing market trends. In summary, as long as supply-side disruptions have not been resolved and downstream demand remains firm, lithium carbonate prices are expected to stay relatively strong in the short term. ( Shanghai Nonferrous Metals Network )