Tin prices hit a record due to supply concerns in major producer Myanmar, while stainless steel prices boosted nickel to its highest in five months.
Tin’s prices continue to grow driven by logistical issues and supply issues from Myanmar. Myanmar, the world’s third largest tin producer, is struggling to contain rising cases of COVID-19 and a political crisis. Rwanda, another producer of tin, has asked its businesses to cut staffing by 50%, a move that has affected miners.
“It’s a list of never-ending events that keep hitting the tin market,” said Adam Slade, an analyst at Roskill, a Wood Mackenzie business, citing a series of capacity closures this year.
The re-opening of some smelters will ease tightness in the market but prices are expected to remain above $30,000 per tonnes with a firm floor of $25,000, Slade said.
In nickel, rocketing stainless steel prices have boosted prices for the metal, used to resist corrosion. Chinese stainless steel futures surged more than 6% to a record high on strong consumption and raw material supply crunch, while concerns over output cut in the steel sector also supported prices.