Lead imports during the first 11 months of 2013 also fell by 89.28% year-on-year, to 693 tonnes. 

 

The Shanghai/LME lead price ratio during November hovered between 6.6-6.7, far from favorable for refined lead imports. The low price ratio, combined with a surplus of domestic refined lead, left demand for refined lead imports sluggish. Refined lead suppliers to China during November were South Korea and Germany. 

 

China’s refined lead exports fell during November by 18.78% on the month, to 2,236 tonnes, and YTD exports through November totaled 19,300 tonnes, a nearly ten-fold increase compared with a year ago. All refined lead exports during the month were shipped to Asian countries, including South Korea, Thailand, and Indonesia.