Indonesia Tin exports dropped in Dec 2015

By Anil Mathews (ScrapMonster Author)

January 07, 2016 06:01:36 AM

JAKARTA (Scrap Monster): The preliminary data released by the Indonesian Trade Ministry shows that Tin exports from the country dropped significantly during the month of December in 2015.

The exports during the month totaled 5,804.95 tonnes, falling sharply by 43.7% from Dec ’14 levels. The above data is based on the pre-shipment checks carried out by surveying companies. Indonesian Tin exports had risen unusually during December 2014 on account of destocking ahead of the New Year. The country had exported 10,310.75 tonnes during Dec ‘14.

Tin ingot exports by the country totaled 5,794.09 tonnes during the month, whereas exports of tin solder amounted to 10.86 tonnes. The cumulative exports during the entire year 2015 based on preliminary estimates totaled 70,154 tonnes, down by 7.6% when matched with the 2014 annual exports total of 75,925 tonnes. The reported tin sales through ICDX totaled 4,780 tonnes during Dec ’15.

The Ministry’s latest version of tin export regulations have already been in effect since August last year. The new licensing regulations are expected to keep the exports under control. No sale has been reported through ICDX since December 29th. The monthly tin export volumes are expected to average around 5,000 tonnes-5,500 tonnes per month in 2016.

Under the new regulation, tin smelters in the country are required to obtain fresh "clean and clear" certification from the Ministry by confirming that the tin ores consumed by them originate from authorized mines. According to sources, many of the Indonesian smelters did not have new licenses at the time of implementation of the regulation. This has affected tin shipments out of the country during the previous year, especially during the last quarter.