That's 5% spodumene prices. According to Chinese customs, in the March quarter, 70% of spodumene and DSO volume was below 6% grade and stockpiles are appearing (especially low grade DSO which is seeing producers cut out that practice now). Additionally, according to ORE, only 5% of spodumene that is not from Greenbushes, was above 6% grade. So pricing for 6% concentrate is more favourable.
Importantly, if you look at the latest quarterlies for producers, they are still reporting getting record prices. Domestically in China, prices have come down (mostly carbonate) but most of the world supply of battery grade lithium products come from South America and they are also reporting record sale prices. It's very important to focus on battery grade materials and prices obtained by the big producers as opposed to the spot markets which see little volumes of such materials. As ORE explains in the quarterly,
'Given very little to no sales of battery grade material have been made in the spot market, the price is indicative of speculative trading rather than demand from the growing battery segment. In contrast, demand for battery grade material from suppliers to the contract market has grown reflecting robust demand conditions. Both SQM and Albemarle attest to strong demand growth rates of 20% and 18% CAGR to 2025 respectively, based on their customer’s long-term order books.'All producers are expecting strong second recovery.
I made a post here about prices in the AVZ forum but its relevant to all lithium stocks.
