Chile exported US$1.523 million FOB in lithium products in the first quarter of 2026, up 185% from US$534 million in the same period of 2025, according to Central Bank data. The outcome, driven by favorable prices, marks the second-best historical start for a first quarter.
The Central Bank released foreign trade data for March 2026 this week, showing a strong rebound in lithium exports. Shipments of lithium carbonate, hydroxide, and sulfate reached US$1.523 million FOB, nearly tripling the US$534 million from 2025. This marks the second-best first-quarter performance historically, behind the US$2.338 million in 2023 and ahead of US$1.150 million in 2022.
By product, lithium carbonate led with US$1.107 million FOB, up 148%; hydroxide recorded US$74 million (17% increase), and sulfate US$340 million (1,317% rise).
China remained the top destination, taking 55% of the total with US$840 million in carbonate, a 137% year-over-year growth. South Korea imported US$166 million (11%), Japan US$34 million (2%), Belgium US$23.7 million (1.6%), and the United States US$23.1 million (1.5%).
The average price of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) stood at US$16,923 per ton, 81% higher than US$9,350 in 2025, per GEM. "The rebound stems from a combination of price, volume, and contract timing," said Patricio Faúndez, head of economics at GEM, adding that "this relationship should not be read mechanically" due to medium-term contracts.
Víctor Pérez, an academic at Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, noted that "Chilean production remained relatively stable," crediting the value jump to price recovery after 2024 and 2025 adjustments. He warned of risks including global oversupply, volatile Chinese demand, and tariff uncertainties. Faúndez expects prices to stay above 2025 levels.
