Refined tin shipments from Indonesia, the world’s largest exporter, fell in November, the first decline in three months, after rain hampered production, Bloomberg reported. Exports declined 28% to 7,946 tonnes from 11,048 tonnes in October, data from the Trade Ministry showed. The data reflects checks on metal prior to shipment carried out by surveying companies. Shipments were 2,202 tonnes a year earlier – at a time when producers were withholding metal to support prices.
“It’s hard to get ore these days because of heavy rains,”Hidayat Arsani, president of the Indonesian Tin Mining Association, told Bloomberg. Output was curbed as competition for raw materials increased costs, he said.The country shipped tin to 14 countries last month, with Singapore taking about 60% of supplies, the data showed. Other buyers included Malaysia, China, Japan and South Korea.
