GEOGRAPHY OF TRADE FLOWS AND ASSESSMENT OF RUSSIA'S ROLE IN INTERNATIONAL LITHIUM TRADE

Abstract

Lithium is one of the most sought-after metals in modern international trade. Due to the uneven distribution of lithium production centers and the importance of this metal for the economies of developed countries, lithium importers strive to form reliable supply chains that are resistant to various shocks. The paper aims to analyze the current situation on the international lithium market, identify Russia's role in the international lithium trade, and assess the prospects for the development of extraction and processing of lithium-bearing minerals. The research methods include data grouping, structural analysis, and time series analysis. The main growth driver for the lithium market is the expanding market for electric vehicles, which require lithium-ion batteries. The main lithium producers are Australia, Chile, China, and Argentina, while the main consumers are China, Japan, and South Korea, this stimulating the development of international trade. The study identifies the main participants in the international lithium trade and shows the geography of trade flows. Russia has potentially large reserves of lithium in hydromineral brines, while no commercial extraction is carried out and raw materials for processing are imported. The development of the lithium industry in Russia will make it possible not only to meet domestic needs but also to integrate into trade flows on the international market, which will lead to a number of positive effects: reducing dependence on imports and price fluctuations, stimulating the production of high-grade products, creating new jobs, and increasing Russia's importance as a supplier of a strategically important resource. However, despite the obvious advantages, it is necessary to take into account both global risks and those specific to Russia.