World tin market records deficit in 2015

The global tin market recorded a slight shortage during 2015, according to the latest data published by the World Bureau of Metals Statistics (WBMS).
According to the WBMS, the global tin market recorded a slight deficit of 8.70 thousand tons throughout 2015.

Global production of refined tin decreased by 25.60 thousand tons during the year. This production figure excludes recycled LME metal. Asian tin production was 296 thousand tonnes during 2015, significantly lower compared to 316 thousand tonnes in the previous year.

Global metal demand declined 3.9 percent compared to January-December 2014 volume. Demand amounted to 363.8 thousand tons during this period. Chinese demand showed a significant decline, down 8.7 percent from the previous year. Japanese consumption amounted to 26.8 thousand tons, which is slightly lower compared to the consumption of 27.10 thousand tons recorded in January-December 2014.

The total stock of metal has slightly decreased over the past year. At the end of December 2015, the level was 5.2 thousand tons lower than the level closed in December 2014. The presented stocks increased slightly in October. During December 2015 alone, the global production of refined tin was 31.9 thousand tons, in contrast to the demand of 30.2 thousand tons.