Chile lithium output to reach 335 000 tonnes in 2027, Cochilco says
Chilean lithium production will grow 3.1% year-on-year in 2027 to reach 335 000 tonnes, according to a Thursday report by state copper commission Cochilco.
Production this year is expected to close at 325 000 tonnes, after totaling 311 000 in 2025.
Between January and July this year, 74% of Chilean exports were lithium carbonate, 21% sulfate and 5% hydroxide.
Sulfate exports grew from the 11% registered in 2025, becoming a strategic product for Chinese refineries, the report said.
The global market will close this year with a deficit of 79 000 tonnes, while 2027 will show a surplus of 42 000 tonnes, Cochilco added.
Chile holds 25% of the world’s available lithium reserves.
“Thanks to the unique evaporation and concentration conditions of the Atacama salt flat, our production maintains a stable and predictable growth trajectory,” said Paulina Avila, a mining market analyst.