Preliminary data released by the trade ministry today shows that the tonnage of tin checked prior to export in May more than doubled compared to April and was up by 25% compared to May 2013. The total tonnage was 12,778.8 tonnes, comprising 11,540.3 tonnes of ingots, 463.5 tonnes of solder and 775 tonnes in other forms. The sharp recovery is partly due to catch-up shipments after delays in April, when exporters were nervous about further interventions by the Indonesian navy, following the seizure of a vessel in March.

May is the first month this year in which the total has been above year-ago levels. The cumulative tonnage in the first five months of the year is 33,217 tonnes, down by 24% on the same period of 2013. The 12-month running total for the series is 80,930 tonnes. This is only the second month since the new tin export regulation took effect at the end of last August in which exports have exceeded the previous typical monthly average of some 8,000 tpm.