Chile's lithium exports reached USD 4.745 billion between January and September 2026, almost triple the USD 1.699 billion of the same period of 2025, according to the foreign trade report of the Undersecretariat of International Economic Relations (Subrei), published on October 16 and reported by Electrominería and Infobae. In nine months, lithium is already 98% above the full-year 2025 total of USD 2.394 billion.
The jump comes in a record year for Chilean trade. Goods exports reached USD 93.837 billion in the period (+18.5%) and the trade surplus USD 25.721 billion, the highest since 2007, according to Infobae. The figures are preliminary and may be revised.
Lithium exports by product: carbonate dominates
Lithium carbonate, the raw material for battery cathodes, accounts for three quarters of shipments. Sulphate is the second product, ahead of hydroxide.
| Product | Exports January-September 2026 | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Lithium carbonate | USD 3.502 billion | 74% |
| Lithium sulphate | USD 989 million | 21% |
| Lithium hydroxide | USD 254 million | 5% |
| Total lithium | USD 4.745 billion | 100% |
In September, lithium carbonate exports rose 128% year on year to about USD 360 million, according to monthly Central Bank figures published on October 7.
Where Chile's lithium exports go
China is by far the main buyer, with three out of every four dollars. South Korea, home to major battery makers, is second. The number of countries buying Chilean lithium rose from 16 to 20.
- China: 74.5% of lithium exports between January and September 2026.
- South Korea: 15.9%.
- Japan: 2.8%.
- United States: 2.1%.
- Belgium: 2.1%.
The concentration in Asia matches the industry map: most large cell producers are in China and Korea. Behind it all are the world's largest reserves, which we rank in lithium reserves by country.
Why exports are growing so fast: price and volume
Lithium was coming off a year of low prices in 2025. The US Geological Survey (USGS) estimates the average contract price of lithium carbonate at USD 9,000 per tonne in 2025, 31% less than in 2024, although the spot price in China rose in the second half of the year thanks to electric car sales and demand for stationary batteries. Production also grew: the USGS estimates Chile extracted 56,000 tonnes of lithium content in 2025, up from 48,900 in 2024.
Storage demand is also a driver. In Chile alone, battery projects (BESS) awaiting connection total more than 7,500 MW, according to the latest report from the grid operator, and the country has already surpassed 3,000 MW of batteries in operation.
Lithium versus copper and the rest of mining
Although it is growing faster, lithium is still far behind copper. Mining exports totalled USD 58.873 billion between January and September (+25.7%) and accounted for 62.7% of the country's goods shipments.
| Mining product | Exports Jan-Sep 2026 | Annual change |
|---|---|---|
| Copper (total) | USD 49.247 billion | +18.7% |
| Lithium | USD 4.745 billion | Almost triple |
| Gold | USD 3.401 billion | Record for the period |
| Total mining | USD 58.873 billion | +25.7% |
Copper is also having a record year: its average price was USD 6.09 per pound over the nine months, 40.6% higher than a year earlier, and in September it reached USD 6.57, the highest monthly value in the series since 2005, according to Subrei.
What comes next for Chilean lithium
In July, Subrei highlighted that in 2025 Chile was the world's third-largest lithium producer and the largest exporter of carbonate and hydroxide. The challenge is to sustain production in the salt flats with a smaller water footprint, a debate that will shape how much more Chile can grow.
How lithium exports grew during 2026
The pace held all year. By April, shipments totalled USD 2.136 billion; at the end of the first half, USD 3.218 billion, according to the Central Bank as cited by La Tercera; and by September, USD 4.745 billion. In the first half, lithium went from 2% to 5% of the country's total exports.
| 2026 period | Cumulative lithium exports | Same period of 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| January-April | USD 2.136 billion | — |
| January-June | USD 3.218 billion | USD 1.118 billion |
| January-September | USD 4.745 billion | USD 1.699 billion |
A word of context: despite the jump, lithium has not returned to the levels of the 2022 boom. In the first half of 2022 alone Chile exported USD 4.384 billion, according to the same La Tercera report. The difference is price: the Central Bank recorded that a tonne of lithium went from about USD 9,000 to about USD 19,000 over the period analysed, far from the 2022 peaks.
Chile on the world lithium map
The USGS estimates that world lithium production grew 31% in 2025 to 290,000 tonnes of lithium content. Chile was the third-largest producer, behind Australia and China, but it holds the largest reserves.
| Country | Lithium mine production 2025 (tonnes) | World share |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | 92,000 | 32% |
| China | 62,000 | 21% |
| Chile | 56,000 | 19% |
| Zimbabwe | 28,000 | 10% |
| Argentina | 23,000 | 8% |
According to the USGS, 88% of the lithium consumed worldwide goes into batteries: electric cars, grid storage, electronics and tools. That is why Chilean exports move with electric car sales in China and Europe and with the build-out of storage systems.
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See advertising optionsFrequently asked questions
How much lithium did Chile export in 2026?
Between January and September 2026, USD 4.745 billion, according to Subrei's preliminary report. That is almost triple the same period of 2025.
What kind of lithium does Chile export?
Mainly lithium carbonate (74% of the value), followed by sulphate (21%) and hydroxide (5%).
Who buys Chilean lithium?
China accounts for 74.5%, followed by South Korea (15.9%), Japan (2.8%), the United States (2.1%) and Belgium (2.1%).
