GLOBAL LITHIUM SNAPSHOT: Europe, US battery-grade carbonate price tumbles 5%

Europe 

• Europe and US battery-grade lithium carbonate prices ended five consecutive weeks of stability after buyers attempted to align the market with losses recently seen in the technical grade market. 
• There has been a significant slowdown in the market due to the tightening grip of Covid-19 across Europe and the United States. 
• Lack of activity in battery-grade hydroxide market kept prices unchanged for sixth consecutive week.

China 

• A lack of downstream buying from cathode makers continues to weigh on lithium carbonate and hydroxide markets. 
• Industrial-grade lithium carbonate held this week, with no prices reported below 37,000 yuan per tonne.

Asian seaborne market 

• Japan has declared a national state of emergency to reduce unnecessary travel until May 6. Market participants are wary of further impact on the economy. 
• Lower offer prices were heard in the market but few concluded deals.