china tin exports fall again in may

China's production, exports fall again in May

Release date: 16 Jun 2008

Preliminary official production and trade figures released today show a continuing decline in Chinese refined tin production and negligible exports for the fourth month in a row.

National Bureau of Statistics data reported by Reuters shows May refined tin production at only 10,720 tonnes, down 16.2% on May 2007. Cumulative output in the first five months of the year, at 52,638 tonnes, is 13.0% lower that in the same period last year. While monthly production recovered to around 11,500 tpm in March-April, after the severe weather problems at the start of the year, raw materials shortages are causing renewed problems.

Meanwhile Bloomberg reported that May exports of refined tin and alloys amounted to only 5 tonnes. Total exports in January-May, at 386 tonnes, are 97% lower than last year. Trade sources indicate that the fall in refined tin sales may be partly offset by increased shipments of tin semis, which avoid the 10% export tax imposed on refined metal at the start of the year.