A drop in the global price for lithium may have driven a year over year decline in profitability at SQM and Tianqi Lithium according to press reports. The extent of oversupply in the lithium industry can be seen in a 10.5% year over year surge in exports from Chile in June. That’s come at the same time as a 17.8% drop in average export values per ton in 2Q from Chile compared to 1Q. The resulting $9.614 per ton average export value compares to $13,768 per ton in January. SQM has been more restrained than average with Panjiva data indicating the firm’s exports by have suffered a ...