Commodity Origins

Lithium vs Cobalt

Lithium's biggest producer is Australia (32%, 2025); Cobalt's is DR Congo (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (74%, 2025). Lithium is currently $148,620/t, Cobalt $55,854/t. Their monthly price moves have only weakly tracked each other over the 170 months compared (r = 0.19).

Lithium compared with Cobalt
LithiumCobalt
CategoryMetalsMetals
Top producerAustralia (32%, 2025)DR Congo (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (74%, 2025)
World production290,000 tonnes310,000 tonnes
Top exporterChile (73%, 2024)DR Congo (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (65%, 2024)
Latest price$148,620/t (August 2026)$55,854/t (August 2026)
12-month change+82%+70%

Price since June 2012, rebased to 100

Each price divided by its own June 2012 value and multiplied by 100, so the two can share one chart regardless of unit. Starts at June 2012 because that is the later of the two series' first published month.

Lithium vs Cobalt monthly prices, index, Jun 2012 to Aug 2026Line chart of lithium vs cobalt monthly prices in index from Jun 2012 to Aug 2026: Lithium from 100 to 233.5, peaking at 769.9; Cobalt from 100 to 193.7, peaking at 314.9.02004006008002014201620182020202220242026index
LithiumCobalt

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Production: FAOSTAT, USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries or the Energy Institute Statistical Review, whichever each commodity page cites. Trade: CEPII BACI, primary HS line. Prices: World Bank Pink Sheet, monthly averages, not investment advice.