Fastmarkets says the Russian invasion of Ukraine is also a concern for European lithium buyers, who source some of their lithium salts from Russian suppliers.
“A seller of lithium hydroxide compounds based in Russia told Fastmarkets that for the time being, he did not see any impact on business and that he was still able to ship trucks loaded with material toward Europe on Thursday February 24,” Fastmarkets said Friday last week.
“But he acknowledged that a number of long-term customers based in Europe were concerned about his company’s ability to deliver if the situation deteriorated.”
More generally, lithium prices continue to rise.
In China, prices experienced strong gains for a third consecutive week with spot supply showing no signs of improvement.
“The market is still extremely undersupplied, and there is no sign of any improvement so far,” a Chinese lithium trader told Fastmarkets.
“Chinese lithium consumers have to scramble for any spot units.”
This is a seller’s market, Fastmarkets says. As soon as there is any offer of lithium salts in the spot market, it is immediately secured at a price to the seller’s satisfaction.
“The current headache for all Chinese lithium consumers is still the scarcity of spot units, and I don’t know when it will be eased,” a Chinese lithium consumer source said.
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