LONDON, Jun 16, 2010 (Dow Jones Commodities News via Comtex) -- The global lead market was in a surplus of 49,200 metric tons in January to April, the World Bureau of Metal Statistics said Wednesday.

This compares with a small surplus of 5,000 tons during the same period in 2009.

The WBMS said both production and consumption improved substantially compared with the first four months of 2009.

Global refined lead production was 2.8716 million tons and global refined lead consumption 2.8224 million tons.

Global lead mine production in January to April was 24% higher on the year at 1.3486 million tons.