WBMS: Global Zinc Market In 118,000-Ton Surplus In Jan-Feb

LONDON, Apr 20 -- The global zinc market recorded a surplus of 118,000 metric tons in January and February, the World Bureau of Metal Statistics said Wednesday.

It didn't provide a comparable figure for the previous year.

Refined zinc production and consumption were similarly higher than the very low levels recorded at the beginning of last year. Japanese demand was 77,200 tons, 7.4% below the equivalent total for January and February 2010.

World demand was 120,000 tons higher than in January and February 2010. Chinese apparent demand was 802,000 tons, equivalent to 41% of the global total. No allowance is made in the consumption calculation for unreported stock changes.

In February, slab zinc production was 1.040 million tons and consumption 979,100 tons.