Platts launches market-first daily FOB Brazil lithium spodumene assessment

Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, has launched a daily FOB Brazil lithium spodumene concentrate spot price assessment, effective March 24, 2025.

The new assessment, which Platts understands to be a first-of-kind for Brazilian spodumene exports under the FOB incoterm, reflects material with lithium oxide content in a 5.5%-6.0% range, loading from Brazil ports 30-45 days forward. Indications for other qualities and specifications may be normalized to align with Platts base standard specification, subject to prevailing market differentials.

The launch responds to growing demand from market participants for increased transparency, clarity and insights regarding pricing for lithium products from South America, as the region matures as a global supplier.

It complements Platts existing suite of daily lithium, battery metals and raw materials pricing in the Americas, Asia and Europe, including the Platts LiT FOB assessment for lithium carbonate exports from the Lithium Triangle.

Brazil is emerging as a significant global lithium supplier, due to vast lithium reserves found in regions such as the state of Minas Gerais. Unlike the Lithium Triangle, which includes parts of Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia and is known for its salt brines, Brazil's lithium resources are primarily located in hard rock deposits, particularly as spodumene pegmatites.

Brazil's lithium production reached 50,035 mt of Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (LCE) in 2024, making it the fifth-largest producer in the world. The country is projected to more than double that number to 109,503 mt by 2027, according to Commodity Insights.

The new assessment specifications are as follows:

All market information reported to Platts may be considered for publication, including firm bids, offers, transactions and indications of value, as well as any other data deemed relevant to the assessment process.

The daily assessment follows a Brazil publishing schedule and reflects a 4:00 pm Sao Paulo market close.

It is published in Platts Metals Daily, Battery Metals Market Report, in the Platts price database under the symbols listed above and on Platts Non Ferrous Metals Alert pages MTL8888 and PMA8888, alongside Platts full suite of battery metals assessments.

Platts additionally will publish a monthly average of the daily price assessment on the last business day of the month, starting in April, on page MTL8880.

Platts first announced the new assessment March 17 in a subscriber note available here(opens in a new tab).(opens in a new tab)

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