Chile Lithium Carbonate HS283691 Export Data 2025 August Overview

Chile Lithium Carbonate (HS 283691) 2025 August Export: Key Takeaways

Chile's Lithium Carbonate exports (HS Code 283691) in August 2025 reveal a high-value, China-dominated market, with 76% of shipments by value flowing there, signaling both opportunity and concentration risk. The slight premium in value-to-weight ratios suggests China receives marginally higher-grade material, critical for battery production. Secondary clusters like South Korea and Europe (Germany, Belgium) offer diversification potential, especially under the new EU-Chile trade agreement. This analysis, covering August 2025, is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database.

Chile Lithium Carbonate (HS 283691) 2025 August Export Background

What is HS Code 283691?

HS Code 283691 covers lithium carbonates, a critical raw material primarily used in battery production for electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy storage systems. Global demand for lithium carbonates remains high due to the accelerating shift toward clean energy technologies. Chile, as the world’s leading exporter of this commodity, plays a pivotal role in supplying key markets, including the U.S. and EU, which rely on its high-quality lithium deposits [FreightAmigo].

Current Context and Strategic Position

The EU-Chile interim trade agreement (ITA), effective February 2025, introduces updated rules of origin and tariff benefits for lithium carbonates, potentially reshaping trade flows [KPMG]. In August 2025, Chile exported $145M of lithium carbonates under HS Code 283691, reinforcing its dominance in global supply [OEC]. With the U.S. sourcing 61% of its intermediate lithium products from Chile, market vigilance is essential to monitor policy shifts and competitive dynamics [CLC Council].

Chile Lithium Carbonate (HS 283691) 2025 August Export: Trend Summary

Key Observations

August 2025 saw Chile export $1.66 billion worth of Lithium Carbonate under HS Code 283691, with a volume of 183.75 million kilograms, reflecting a notable but decreased performance compared to previous months.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The August figures show a month-over-month decline from July 2025, where exports were valued at $1.93 billion with a volume of 241.91 million kilograms. This drop aligns with typical seasonal patterns in the lithium market, often driven by fluctuations in battery manufacturing demand and inventory replenishment cycles, rather than indicating a structural shift.

External Context and Outlook

The EU-Chile interim trade agreement, effective since February 1, 2025 [KPMG], may contribute to export volatility as markets adapt to new tariff rules. Despite short-term dips, Chile's dominant role in lithium carbonates—with historical exports exceeding $6 billion annually—supports a positive outlook for sustained demand, particularly from the electric vehicle sector.

Chile Lithium Carbonate (HS 283691) 2025 August Export: HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

In August 2025, Chile's export of Lithium Carbonate under HS Code 283691 shows strong concentration, with sub-code 28369130 for Carbonates; lithium carbonate dominating the market. This sub-code accounts for over 92% of the export value and 91% of the weight, with a unit price of 9.16 USD per kilogram, which is higher than other sub-codes. According to yTrade data, this indicates a specialized, possibly higher-grade product driving most of Chile's export activity for this period.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining sub-codes, 28369190 and 28369140, both for Carbonates; lithium carbonate, form a secondary group with lower unit prices of 7.74 and 7.62 USD per kilogram, respectively. This price disparity suggests a market structure with differentiated grades, where 28369130 may represent a premium or purified form, while the others are standard grades. The variations imply that Chile's Lithium Carbonate export is not a fully fungible bulk commodity but involves product differentiation based on quality or processing stage.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For market players, Chile's dominance in the higher-priced sub-code 28369130 provides strong pricing power and margin advantages in the Lithium Carbonate export market. Strategic focus should be on maintaining and promoting the premium grade to capitalize on this position, while monitoring competition in standard grades. The EU-Chile interim trade agreement effective from February 2025 [KPMG] could further support export opportunities by reducing tariffs, but current data shows internal grade differentiation as the key factor.

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Chile Lithium Carbonate (HS 283691) 2025 August Export: Market Concentration

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

In August 2025, Chile's Lithium Carbonate exports under HS Code 283691 were highly concentrated, with China Mainland dominating at 76.27% of value and 72.74% of weight. The slight value-to-weight ratio disparity suggests China may receive a marginally higher grade or better pricing, typical for bulk commodities like lithium used in battery production. This pattern indicates China's strong role as the primary buyer for Chile's key export.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The importers form three clear clusters: China and South Korea together account for over 97% of value, driven by massive demand for electric vehicle batteries. Japan, Germany, and Belgium represent a secondary cluster with smaller but consistent imports, likely for specialized industrial or chemical applications. The United States and Canada form a minor cluster with minimal shares, possibly due to geographic distance or sourcing from other regions like Argentina.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

For market players, reducing over-reliance on China by targeting secondary clusters could mitigate supply risks. The new EU-Chile trade agreement effective February 2025 [KPMG] may boost exports to European partners like Germany and Belgium, offering tariff advantages. Suppliers should prioritize logistics for weight-based shipments to maintain cost efficiency.

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Chile Lithium Carbonate (HS 283691) 2025 August Export: Action Plan for Lithium Carbonate Market Expansion

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

The Chile Lithium Carbonate Export 2025 August market under HS Code 283691 is driven by two key price factors: product grade differentiation and geographic concentration. The premium sub-code 28369130 commands a higher price due to its specialized quality, while China's dominance as a buyer creates both pricing leverage and supply chain risk. This structure positions Chile as a critical processing hub for high-grade lithium, but over-reliance on one market exposes the supply chain to geopolitical and demand shifts. The new EU-Chile trade agreement offers a counterbalance, creating potential for diversified, tariff-advantaged exports.

Action Plan: Data-Driven Steps for Lithium Carbonate Market Execution

• Segment buyers by purchase frequency and value using trade data. Target large infrequent buyers for premium contracts to maximize revenue, while maintaining smaller frequent buyers for stable cash flow. This balances dependency risks and ensures consistent market presence.
• Monitor HS Code 283691 sub-code pricing trends monthly. Adjust production focus toward the higher-value 28369130 grade to protect margin advantage. This capitalizes on Chile's existing quality differentiation in the global market.
• Diversify export destinations using geographic trade flow analysis. Prioritize EU markets like Germany and Belgium under the new trade agreement to reduce over-reliance on China. This mitigates supply chain vulnerability and taps into growing European battery demand.
• Analyze competitor export patterns for Lithium Carbonate. Identify gaps in competitor supply chains to target new buyers in secondary markets like Japan and South Korea. This expands Chile's market share without triggering price wars in dominant regions.

Forward-Looking Risk Mitigation

Market players must act now. Traditional strategies fail because they miss granular buyer behavior and sub-code price details. Use real-time trade data to track China's stock cycles and anticipate order delays. Build logistics partnerships for weight-based shipping efficiency to EU ports. This prepares for both demand shocks and agreement-driven opportunities in the Chile Lithium Carbonate Export 2025 August landscape under HS Code 283691.

Take Action Now —— Explore Chile Lithium Carbonate Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Chile Lithium Carbonate Export 2025 August?

The August 2025 decline in export value ($1.66B vs. July’s $1.93B) reflects seasonal demand fluctuations in battery manufacturing, not structural shifts. Chile’s dominance in premium-grade lithium carbonate (sub-code 28369130, 92% of value) sustains pricing power despite volatility.

Q2. Who are the main partner countries in this Chile Lithium Carbonate Export 2025 August?

China dominates with 76.27% of export value, followed by South Korea (21% combined share). Secondary clusters include Japan, Germany, and Belgium for specialized industrial demand.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across Chile Lithium Carbonate Export 2025 August partner countries?

Price disparities stem from product differentiation: sub-code 28369130 (premium grade, $9.16/kg) drives most exports, while lower grades (28369190/40, ~$7.60/kg) cater to niche markets.

Q4. What should exporters in Chile focus on in the current Lithium Carbonate export market?

Prioritize contracts with large infrequent buyers (61% of value) while maintaining smaller frequent purchasers (39% value, 68% frequency). Diversify beyond China to leverage EU trade agreements for tariff advantages.

Q5. What does this Chile Lithium Carbonate export pattern mean for buyers in partner countries?

China’s bulk purchases secure stable supply for EV batteries, while EU buyers (e.g., Germany/Belgium) gain opportunities under new trade terms. Buyers face a polarized market: high-value bulk deals or smaller, frequent transactions.

Q6. How is Lithium Carbonate typically used in this trade flow?

Primarily for electric vehicle battery production, with premium grades (28369130) likely destined for high-performance applications and standard grades for general industrial use.