Chile: Market for Lithium Oxide, Hydroxide and Carbonate 2024

Market Size for Lithium Oxide, Hydroxide and Carbonate in Chile

For the third consecutive year, the Chilean market for lithium oxide, hydroxide and carbonates recorded growth in sales value, which increased by X% to $X in 2022. In general, consumption saw a prominent increase. Lithium oxide, hydroxide and carbonate consumption peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Production of Lithium Oxide, Hydroxide and Carbonate in Chile

In value terms, lithium oxide, hydroxide and carbonate production contracted dramatically to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production saw a strong increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when the production volume increased by X%. Lithium oxide, hydroxide and carbonate production peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Exports of Lithium Oxide, Hydroxide and Carbonate

Exports from Chile

For the seventh consecutive year, Chile recorded growth in overseas shipments of lithium oxide, hydroxide and carbonates, which increased by X% to X tons in 2022. Overall, exports posted a significant expansion. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, lithium oxide, hydroxide and carbonate exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate significant growth. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

China (X tons) was the main destination for lithium oxide, hydroxide and carbonate exports from Chile, accounting for a X% share of total exports. Moreover, lithium oxide, hydroxide and carbonate exports to China exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, South Korea (X tons), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Japan (X tons), with a X% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to China totaled X%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: South Korea (X% per year) and Japan (X% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) remains the key foreign market for lithium oxide, hydroxide and carbonates exports from Chile, comprising X% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by South Korea ($X), with a X% share of total exports. It was followed by Japan, with a X% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to China totaled X%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: South Korea (X% per year) and Japan (X% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average export price for lithium oxide, hydroxide and carbonates stood at $X per ton in 2022, with an increase of X% against the previous year. Overall, the export price saw a perceptible expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 an increase of X%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Belgium ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the United States (X%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Lithium Oxide, Hydroxide and Carbonate

Imports into Chile

In 2022, approx. X tons of lithium oxide, hydroxide and carbonates were imported into Chile; with an increase of X% on the previous year. Over the period under review, imports posted a resilient increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of X%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, lithium oxide, hydroxide and carbonate imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. In general, imports enjoyed a significant increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by X%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Germany (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of lithium oxide, hydroxide and carbonate to Chile, accounting for a X% share of total imports. Moreover, lithium oxide, hydroxide and carbonate imports from Germany exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, the UK (X tons), threefold. China (X kg) ranked third in terms of total imports with a X% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Germany totaled X%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the UK (X.0% per year) and China (X% per year).

In value terms, Germany ($X), Argentina ($X) and China ($X) were the largest lithium oxide, hydroxide and carbonate suppliers to Chile, with a combined X% share of total imports. The UK, Brazil and the United States lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further X%.

In terms of the main suppliers, the UK, with a CAGR of X%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average import price for lithium oxide, hydroxide and carbonates amounted to $X per ton, growing by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed significant growth. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Argentina ($X per ton), while the price for Brazil ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (X%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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