According to the price monitoring of the business club, the price of lithium carbonate continued to decline in May 2022, and gradually stabilized at the end of the month. On May 30, the average price of industrial grade lithium carbonate in East China was 451000 yuan / ton, which was 2.8% lower than that at the beginning of the month (the average price of industrial carbon in East China was 464000 yuan / ton on May 1). On May 30, the average price of battery grade lithium carbonate in East China was 469000 yuan / ton, a decrease of 2.29% compared with the average price at the beginning of the month (May 1, the average price of carbon in East China was 480000 yuan / ton). Until the 30th, the comprehensive price of industrial grade lithium carbonate was 430000-460000 yuan / ton, and the comprehensive price of battery grade lithium carbonate was 460000-495000 yuan / ton.

According to the observation of market changes, after the May Day holiday, the price of lithium carbonate continued to decline, and the market supply steadily increased. As the impact of epidemic control on production gradually receded, some new capacity was still released, and the output of Salt Lake continued to rise. In terms of demand, the downstream enterprises affected by the epidemic still have poor start-up, and the market demand is still in a wait-and-see state. However, at the beginning of the month, some enterprises are still willing to purchase. There are many market inquiries, but relatively few transactions.

In late May, the price of lithium carbonate mostly showed a stable trend, and the decline gradually decreased. The market supply is stable, while the demand for terminals and batteries has not yet significantly warmed up under the epidemic, so the purchase of raw materials is still relatively small. In the case of weak market demand, it is often maintained at a low level. Near the end of the month, some small and medium-sized cathode manufacturers gradually improved due to the low inventory in the early stage and the recent epidemic situation in some regions, and the market confidence increased. There was a small batch of just needed procurement, and the demand was gradually picking up. At this stage, there is a heavy reluctance to sell, and the market game mood is rising again.

The market price of lithium hydroxide in the downstream is slightly lower, and the price of spodumene in the upstream is stable, with some support from the cost side. The overseas lithium hydroxide market price is relatively strong, the domestic downstream purchasing enthusiasm is general, the market trading atmosphere is light, the negotiation focus of the lithium hydroxide market runs smoothly, and the price drops slightly near the end of the month.

The downstream price of lithium iron phosphate is mainly stable, and the price has not changed significantly compared with the price in the same period last month. It continues to operate smoothly, the supply side continues to be tight, and the overall market negotiation focus of lithium iron phosphate is stable. At present, the manufacturer mainly supplies contract customers, and new orders are not received. The overall market supply shortage is difficult to alleviate.

According to the lithium carbonate analyst of business club, the current market inquiry volume has increased significantly, and the ore auction information on May 24 further supports the price from the emotional side. The superimposed terminal demand gradually recovers, and the just needed reserve in the market has increased. It is expected that the short-term lithium carbonate price will remain high and fluctuate.