Market data Li carbonate (GFEX)104,740 CNY/t▼ 11.8% d/d12 Oct Grid-scale BESS installed, Sep20.4 GWh▲ 61% y/y15 Oct Germany storage added, Jan–Sep8.2 GWh▲ 91% y/y30 Sep Lithium144,779 $/t▼ 2.6% m/mSep 2026 avg Nickel16,324 $/t▼ 2.5% m/mSep 2026 avg Cobalt42,213 $/t▼ 24.4% m/mSep 2026 avg Manganese2,782 $/t▼ 3.9% m/mSep 2026 avg Latest published figures · click for source

Battery metal prices

Monthly average prices of the metals that go into lithium-ion cells and packs, in US dollars per tonne. Latest month: September 2026.

Lithium

Sep 2026 avg
144,779USD/t
▼ 2.6% m/m ▲ 71.0% y/y
Sep 2025Sep 2026high 174,127

In batteries: Cathodes of every lithium-ion chemistry (LFP, NMC, NCA)

99%, Shanghai Metals Market

Nickel

Sep 2026 avg
16,324USD/t
▼ 2.5% m/m ▲ 8.1% y/y
Sep 2025Sep 2026high 18,793

In batteries: High-energy NMC and NCA cathodes

LME spot, melting grade

Cobalt

Sep 2026 avg
42,213USD/t
▼ 24.4% m/m ▲ 26.1% y/y
Sep 2025Sep 2026high 55,873

In batteries: NMC and NCA cathodes – stability at high nickel content

LME spot, min. 99.80%

Manganese

Sep 2026 avg
2,782USD/t
▼ 3.9% m/m ▲ 33.2% y/y
Sep 2025Sep 2026high 2,958

In batteries: NMC and LMFP cathodes

Electrolytic, CIF North West Europe

Copper

Sep 2026 avg
14,473USD/t
▲ 1.0% m/m ▲ 44.8% y/y
Sep 2025Sep 2026high 14,473

In batteries: Anode current-collector foil, busbars, cabling

LME spot, grade A cathode

Aluminium

Sep 2026 avg
3,283USD/t
▲ 1.0% m/m ▲ 23.7% y/y
Sep 2025Sep 2026high 3,658

In batteries: Cathode foil, cell cans, pack housings

LME spot, min. 99.5%

Monthly history, USD per tonne

MonthLithiumNickelCobaltManganeseCopperAluminium
Sep 2026144,77916,32442,2132,78214,4733,283
Aug 2026148,62016,74855,8542,89414,3313,250
Jul 2026156,80916,63255,8732,84313,5433,158
Jun 2026166,81717,58855,8552,90913,5523,439
May 2026174,12718,79355,8542,92413,5123,658
Apr 2026159,97317,86555,8572,95812,8913,594
Mar 2026155,40117,07655,8492,85512,5293,373
Feb 2026149,17517,17355,8582,76712,9513,065
Jan 2026131,37117,71155,5002,24512,9873,134
Dec 202595,25714,87951,8732,22011,7912,876
Nov 202585,63014,67148,1392,10810,8122,819
Oct 202582,99015,09243,1462,07110,7402,793
Sep 202584,64415,10333,4822,0899,9952,654

About these figures

  • Values are monthly averages published by the International Monetary Fund, usually in the first week of the following month. CellsDesk checks for new data every day and rounds values to whole dollars.
  • The lithium series is the IMF's lithium, 99% price from Shanghai Metals Market. It is not the same product as lithium carbonate, which is quoted in CNY per tonne on the Guangzhou Futures Exchange (see the ticker and our briefs for the latest carbonate figure).
  • Graphite (anode material) is not covered by the IMF series, so we don't show a price for it.
  • Figures are for information only and are not investment advice.

Source: International Monetary Fund, Primary Commodity Price System (PCPS) – used under the IMF terms of use. Percentage changes are calculated by CellsDesk from the IMF values. Data checked 20 Oct 2026.