Preliminary data shows that refined tin shipments from Indonesia, the world’s top exporter of the metal, gained 11.3% in March to 9,295.70 tonnes from 8,354.49 tonnes in February, a trade ministry official told Reuters. Indonesian refined tin exports for March were 8.0% higher than in the same period last year, when heavy rainfall hit output.
The tonnage of tin checked prior to shipment under the Indonesian trade ministry’s export licencing scheme rose by 20.1% year-on-year to 26,805 tonnes in January-March. The first quarter is traditionally the slowest period of the year, as the monsoon disrupts usually offshore production up to February, so this points to annual production and exports significantly above 100,000 tonnes if the pace can be maintained. However the announced tightening of controls on refined tin quality by the ministry from 1 July, could result in some disruption of supply channels from mid-year.
