Australia to dominate lithium supply for 'years to come' but prices subdued

BMI outlook suggests lithium market unlikely to return to boom prices

20240628 lithium pile hand

A lithium mine in Brazil: The global market for the metal used in EV batteries is getting more crowded, even as prices slump.  © Reuters

SHAUN TURTON, Nikkei staff writer

SYDNEY -- Lithium prices will not return to their previous highs any time soon despite robust demand due to an influx of new producers and persistent oversupply, according to a recent analysis.

Australia will remain the top global source of the metal -- a vital ingredient in electric vehicle batteries -- over the next several years, according to a report from commodities research firm BMI released on Thursday. The overall market, however, will remain in oversupply until 2030 due to a "rapidly expanding global supply" that has already crashed prices over the past year.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored ContentThis content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.