Zimbabwe Lithium Exports Hit US$746 Million in H1 2026 as Prices Drive 106% Q1 Earnings Jump
Updated
Updated · The Standard - Zimbabwe · Jul 21
Zimbabwe Lithium Exports Hit US$746 Million in H1 2026 as Prices Drive 106% Q1 Earnings Jump
1 articles · Updated · The Standard - Zimbabwe · Jul 21
Summary
US$746 million in lithium export earnings flowed into Zimbabwe in the first half of 2026, with spodumene concentrates contributing US$672.8 million and lithium sulphate adding US$73.2 million.
Q1 exports reached 240,826 tonnes worth US$178.64 million, and MMCZ said earnings rose 106% from a year earlier even though shipment volumes increased only 2%, pointing to stronger global lithium prices.
MMCZ said the large earnings gap between spodumene and lithium sulphate reflected much higher export volumes rather than a big difference in value per tonne.
Lithium remains one of Zimbabwe's top-performing mineral exports, while sulphate production signals gradual growth in domestic beneficiation and the country's push to move up the mineral value chain.