CITIC Securities: Inventory continues to be destocked, demand is gradually increasing, and lithium prices are easy to rise but hard to fall

GateUser-bd883c58 · 2026-03-24T09:07:22+00:00

CITIC Securities points out that lithium carbonate inventories are continuously decreasing, supply is limited, and demand is recovering strongly, especially under the influence of Middle East conflicts which increase energy pressures. It is expected that future lithium prices will be driven by low inventories, making them easy to rise but difficult to fall.

GateUser-bd883c58

2026-03-24 09:07:22

Abstract generation in progress

Ask AI · How does the Middle East conflict indirectly affect lithium price trends?

According to CICC Securities, based on SMM data, domestic lithium carbonate inventories are being depleted, with the depletion rate slightly slowing. This week, inventories decreased by 414 tons to less than 99,000 tons, including a reduction of 1,184 tons in smelter inventories to 16,000 tons, reaching the lowest level in nearly three years. Downstream inventories fell by 1,890 tons to 46,000 tons, with estimated available inventory days less than 10. Other segment inventories decreased by 1,120 tons to 37,000 tons, also at relatively low levels. On the supply side, weekly lithium carbonate production increased by 768 tons, but considering disruptions from Zimbabwe’s export halt and port ore stock levels, future supply elasticity is expected to be limited. On the demand side, consumption continues to recover, with energy storage and heavy truck demand remaining strong. Power battery consumption is gradually entering peak season. Coupled with the Middle East war, overseas energy pressures are intensifying, and European household storage demand is rising. It is expected that in the next quarter, low inventories will remain the core issue, making lithium prices more likely to rise than fall.

Daily Economic News

View Original

This page may contain third-party content, which is provided for information purposes only (not representations/warranties) and should not be considered as an endorsement of its views by Gate, nor as financial or professional advice. See Disclaimer for details.