SHANGHAI, Apr. 28 (SMM) – China’s refined lead output increased 13% MoM in March to 340,200 mt, the NBS reported.

Output of primary lead smelters in SMM’s survey sample rose by 34,000 mt on the month in March due to production resumption. Output of secondary lead smelters grew 16,000 mt.

However, January-March output dropped 6.58% YoY to 987,900 mt, the biggest decline since 2002. This was because lead prices remained weak and some smelters reopened later than past years after the Chinese New Year holiday. The sharp output falls in February and March resulted in a shortfall in April.