Lithium prices in China took a hit on Friday, with the top-traded lithium carbonate futures contract dropping nearly 9%, repeatedly hitting its daily down-limit at 146,200 yuan per metric ton, according to Shanghai Metals Market. Battery-grade lithium carbonate was valued at an average of 158,000 yuan a ton, down 1,000 yuan from the previous session. The SMM battery-grade index also slipped, falling to 159,477 yuan. SMM reported that upstream sellers hesitated to offer spot cargoes amid the price drop, while the lower levels brought some downstream buyers back into the market.
