Tin prices gained a whopping 18 per cent on the LME in the month of April, despite a huge gain in LME inventories by almost 15 per cent. Global production, however, is expected to fall 6.5 per cent by 21,000 tonnes, to 304,500 tonnes in 2009. According to the International Tin Research Institute demand for tin is expected to fall by 10.5 per cent in 2009 amid the global economic crisis. Hence, the market could be in surplus by 5,000 to 10,000 tonnes in 2009.
Malaysian tin jumped 7.5 per cent to score more than a 4-month high on Monday to US$ 12,080, as soaring London Metal Exchange prices and buoyant demand led by Europe boosted prices, one dealer said. The current price level was unseen since December 12, 2008. Tin price had peaked at $25,495/t in May 2008, but then slumped by more than 50 per cent in five months, due to the global financial crisis.
Tin prices have dropped to their lowest level in over a year as the global financial crisis continues to cause concern that economic slowdowns worldwide will substantially decrease the demand for raw materials.
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