Commodities
Home›Commodities›Energy›Chile lithium export revenue rises to $3.2 billion in…
Chile lithium export revenue rises to $3.2 billion in first half 2026
Chile reported lithium exports of $3.2 billion for January to June 2026, nearly tripling from a year earlier and topping 2025 full year sales by 34.4%.
Chile’s lithium export revenue nearly tripled in the first half of 2026, reaching $3.2 billion from January through June, driven by higher prices and solid global demand for the battery metal, according to figures published by the country’s central bank and cited by Mining.com.
The central bank data showed lithium exports were almost three times the value recorded a year earlier, and 34.4% above Chile’s total lithium exports for all of 2025. Lithium carbonate led the gains, followed by sulfates and hydroxide.
Chile said demand remains strong because lithium is used in electric vehicles, energy storage, electronics, and AI-related technologies, including data centers. The figures also reinforce Chile’s role as the world’s second-largest lithium supplier amid expanding demand for battery materials.
Mining.com also noted that Chile’s overall mining exports rose 20.4% to $36.9 billion in the first half, with copper exports up 11.5% year over year to $30.2 billion, and copper accounting for 50.1% of total exports. The report added that Chile has two lithium producers, SQM and Albemarle, and is seeking to expand output through state partnerships and privately developed projects.
Latest closeCopper $6.130 ▼0.7%