Chile Lithium Carbonate HS283691 Export Data 2025 June Overview

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

Chile's Lithium Carbonate (HS Code 283691) export in June 2025 reveals a high-value, concentrated trade dominated by China, which accounted for 72% of export value, reflecting its pivotal role in the global battery supply chain. The product's premium pricing (9.68 USD/kg) suggests high-grade quality, while the US and Japan form a smaller but higher-priced niche market. China's overwhelming share signals high buyer concentration risk, though the EU-Chile trade agreement offers diversification potential. This analysis, covering June 2025, is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database.

Chile Lithium Carbonate (HS 283691) 2025 June Export Background

What is HS Code 283691?

HS Code 283691 refers to lithium carbonates, a critical industrial chemical primarily used in battery production for electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy storage systems. As global demand for clean energy solutions surges, lithium carbonates have become a strategically vital commodity, with Chile emerging as the world's top exporter [OEC World]. The product's significance is underscored by its role in enabling the transition to low-carbon technologies, making it a key driver of Chile's export economy in 2025.

Current Context and Strategic Position

The EU-Chile interim trade agreement (ITA), effective February 1, 2025, has streamlined trade procedures for Chilean exports, including lithium carbonates, by simplifying rules of origin and certification requirements [KPMG]. Chile's dominance in the global lithium market is further highlighted by its $145 million in monthly exports (August 2025) and its position as the leading supplier to the U.S., accounting for 61% of U.S. imports [OEC World]. With June 2025 trade data under scrutiny, vigilance is essential to assess how policy shifts and evolving demand patterns impact Chile Lithium Carbonate HS Code 283691 Export 2025 June flows.

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

Key Observations

Chile's Lithium Carbonate HS Code 283691 export value reached $1.60 billion in June 2025, with shipment volume at 172.61 million kg. This represents a sequential decline from May's $1.71 billion and 181.02 million kg, continuing a softening trend from the first quarter's peak performance.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The June 2025 figures complete a second consecutive month of declining export value and volume, down 6.4% and 4.6% respectively from May. This moderation follows exceptionally strong Q1 results, including April's $2.22 billion high, and aligns with typical mid-year inventory recalibration in battery supply chains. Buyers often pause procurement after rebuilding stocks post-seasonal lows, creating cyclical softness in summer months before anticipated H2 demand recovery.

External Context and Outlook

The EU-Chile Interim Trade Agreement [KPMG] effective February 1, 2025, likely contributed to earlier shipment front-loading as exporters adapted to new origin certification rules (KPMG). Despite June's dip, Chile's structural position remains strong as the world's top lithium carbonate exporter [OEC], with sustained demand from electric vehicle and energy storage markets supporting a positive outlook for the remainder of 2025.

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

Product Specialization and Concentration

Chile's Lithium Carbonate HS Code 283691 Export in 2025 June is highly concentrated in sub-code 28369130 for Carbonates; lithium carbonate. This sub-code commands a unit price of 9.40 USD per kilogram, which is the highest among the variants, and it accounts for over 90% of the export value and nearly 90% of the weight shipped. According to yTrade data, this dominance reflects a focus on a premium-grade product within the export mix.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The other sub-codes, 28369190 and 28369140, with unit prices of 8.54 and 7.90 USD per kilogram respectively, indicate a segmented market based on quality grades. This structure suggests that Chile exports differentiated lithium carbonate products, with variations likely in purity or processing stages, rather than treating it as a uniform bulk commodity tied to simple price indices.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

Chile's export concentration under HS Code 283691 provides strong pricing power, particularly for the high-value sub-code. The EU-Chile interim trade agreement [KPMG] effective from February 2025 supports this by potentially increasing market access and reducing trade barriers for Chilean exports to Europe.

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

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

In June 2025, Chile's Lithium Carbonate HS Code 283691 export was heavily concentrated, with China Mainland as the dominant buyer, accounting for 72.12% of the value and 69.39% of the weight. The higher value ratio compared to weight ratio suggests a slightly elevated unit price, around 9.68 USD per kg, indicating possible premium grade or strategic pricing in this commodity trade. This pattern points to China's strong role as a key processor in the global battery supply chain.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

Two main clusters emerge: China and South Korea form a high-volume, lower-unit-price group (around 8-9 USD/kg), likely driven by their massive battery manufacturing demands. The United States and Japan represent a smaller but higher-unit-price cluster (around 10-11 USD/kg), possibly for specialized industrial or high-purity applications. Belgium, with moderate volume and price, may serve as a logistics hub for European markets, especially with the new EU-Chile trade agreement easing access.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

For Chile's Lithium Carbonate exports, the geographic focus should prioritize maintaining relationships with high-volume buyers like China while exploring premium markets in the US and Japan. The EU-Chile interim trade agreement [KPMG] effective February 2025 offers reduced tariffs and streamlined origin procedures, making Europe a strategic growth area. Diversifying into these markets can mitigate risks from over-reliance on a few partners in this critical mineral trade.

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

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

Chile's Lithium Carbonate Export 2025 June under HS Code 283691 is driven by two core factors. Price is determined by product grade and geopolitical trade access. The dominant sub-code 28369130 achieves a premium price due to its high purity. Supply chains face concentration risk. Over 70% of volume goes to China for battery processing. Large infrequent buyers drive most value but create demand volatility. The EU-Chile trade agreement offers new market access but requires diversification.

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

• Track HS Code 283691 sub-component prices monthly using yTrade data to identify premium grade opportunities and maximize margin.
• Develop separate logistics strategies for high-volume buyers (China/South Korea) and high-value buyers (US/Japan) to optimize shipping costs and service levels.
• Use buyer frequency analysis to forecast bulk purchase cycles and prevent inventory overstock during low-demand periods.
• Create targeted trade agreement compliance reports for EU-bound shipments under the new rules to capitalize on tariff reductions.
• Monitor competitor export patterns to key markets monthly to anticipate price pressures and adjust negotiation strategies.

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 June?

Chile's lithium carbonate exports declined 6.4% in value and 4.6% in volume from May 2025, continuing a mid-year softening trend after Q1's peak. This reflects typical inventory recalibration in battery supply chains, with buyers pausing procurement after restocking.

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

China dominates with 72.12% of export value, followed by South Korea, the US, and Japan. Belgium serves as a moderate-volume logistics hub for European markets under the new EU-Chile trade agreement.

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

Price differences stem from grade specialization, with sub-code 28369130 (9.40 USD/kg) representing premium-grade carbonate. The US and Japan pay higher unit prices (10-11 USD/kg) for specialized applications, while China and South Korea trade at 8-9 USD/kg for bulk battery manufacturing.

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

Exporters should prioritize high-value, infrequent buyers (58.75% of June revenue) while optimizing logistics for frequent smaller purchasers. Geographic diversification into premium EU/US/Japanese markets under the new trade agreement can reduce reliance on China.

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

Chinese buyers benefit from stable bulk supply but face competition for premium grades. US/Japanese buyers secure higher-purity products, while European buyers gain easier access via Belgium’s hub role under tariff reductions.

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

Chile’s exports primarily feed global battery supply chains, with high-grade variants used in electric vehicle and energy storage applications. Bulk shipments support mass-scale battery manufacturing, especially in China.