The tonnage of refined tin checked prior to export from Indonesia last month rose 12.2% year-on-year to 7,866 tonnes, according to data released by the trade ministry today. However exports in the base period last May were lower than normal. In the first five months of the year the cumulative volume of tin processed by surveying companies employed by the ministry amounted to 37,668 tonnes, down by 4.1% compared to the same period of 2011. Final customs data for May 2012 will not be available for several months.

ITRI believes that the lower exports in the year-to-date reflect reduced production by the two major integrated producers PT Timah and PT Koba Tin in the first quarter, although there are some indications that Timah’s production has revived in the second quarter. June exports are expected to be at a similar level to May’s, although the recent fall in tin prices may result in a drop in production at some marginal operations.