Fastmarkets consults market on CJK lithium methodology

Fastmarkets invites feedback on the methodology of its MB-LI-0033 lithium hydroxide, battery grade, spot price cif China, Japan & Korea price and MB-LI-0029 lithium carbonate, battery grade, spot prices cif China, Japan & Korea price. The consultation will consider observed pricing divergences between China, Japan and South Korea.

Fastmarkets has noted that price ranges have been relatively broad over the past year. Upon analysis of the collected data, we attribute this disparity primarily to lower CIF China prices when compared with CIF Korea and CIF Japan prices. Variations in the application of China’s value-added tax, import tariffs, freight costs, and other fees contribute to the observed gap between China and the other two locations on a CIF basis.

Fastmarkets currently assesses imports into all three countries at parity.

Following this public feedback period, Fastmarkets may propose a change to its lithium methodology. Any such proposed change would have a public feedback period ahead of a decision.

Please send your feedback by January 31.

To provide feedback on this consultation, or if you would like to provide price information by becoming a data submitter to these prices, please contact pricing@fastmarkets.com and industrialminerals@fastmarkets.com. Please add the subject heading “re: CJK lithium.”

Please indicate if comments are confidential. Fastmarkets will consider all comments received and will make comments not marked as confidential available upon request.

To see all Fastmarkets pricing methodology and specification documents, go to the Fastmarkets methodology page.

What to read next
Fastmarkets published its assessment of the MB-STE-0232 steel scrap No1 busheling, consumer buying price, delivered mill Chicago, $/gross ton on Thursday April 9, 2026.
Fastmarkets has corrected the rationale for its MB-LI-0033 Lithium hydroxide monohydrate LiOH.H2O 56.5% LiOH min, battery grade, spot price cif China, Japan & Korea, which was published incorrectly on Thursday April 9 due to a typo. The published rationale for MB-LI-0033 Lithium hydroxide monohydrate LiOH.H2O 56.5% LiOH min, battery grade, spot price cif China, Japan […]
Fastmarkets launched two new aluminium scrap prices on Thursday, April 9, adding to Fastmarkets’ suite of recycled non-ferrous metals price assessments. The launch will elevate and expand Fastmarkets’ aluminium scrap coverage by including the following grades: Section 232 tariffs and the resulting high aluminium premiums have led to increased costs and rising interest in recycled […]
The proposal would align the index more closely with physically traded volumes in the region, and enable it to adjust to evolving market conditions. This proposal follows an observed widening of the spread between trader and smelter purchase components of the index and is aligned with a majority of market feedback. Additionally, Fastmarkets seeks feedback […]
The publication of Fastmarkets’ Soymeal CIF US Gulf Barge Hipro, Soymeal CIF US Gulf Barge Hipro Premium, Soymeal FOB US Gulf Barge Hipro and Soymeal FOB US Gulf Barge Hipro Premium assessments for April 6 and 7, 2026 was delayed because of a procedure lapse and a system error. Fastmarkets’ pricing database has been updated.
The publication of Fastmarkets' Hard coking coal domestic China spot market, Shanxi-origin, delivered Tangshan assessment for Tuesday April 7 was delayed due to a reporter error. Fastmarkets’ pricing database has been updated.