According to Mysteel's survey, China's lithium carbonate production reached 103,600 tonnes in April 2026, down 1.1% from the previous month. Compared with the production plan at the beginning of April, the actual production was about 3,000 tonnes lower, mainly due to tightening spodumene feedstock. Operating rates at smelters using imported ore and some toll producers declined, while other production lines saw little change.
Source: Mysteel
Looking ahead to May, China's lithium carbonate production is expected to be 95,100 tonnes, down 3.9% month-on-month. The decline in May will also primarily affect spodumene-based lines, with some producers cutting production due to low feedstock inventories and others reducing production for routine maintenance. Producers extracting lithium from salt lakes are expected to see a slight increase in production, though their share remains small. The operating rate of lithium production from lepidolite is expected to remain stable.
Written by Cora Ji, jiruyan@mysteel.com
