Indonesia Tin exports remain subdued in March

By Anil Mathews (ScrapMonster Author)

April 07, 2016 07:56:59 AM

JAKARTA (Scrap Monster): The preliminary trade statistics released by the Indonesian Trade Ministry indicates further fall in tin exports during the month of March this year. The regulatory controls implemented by the country’s administration and recent flood situation in the Bangka region have impacted the shipments out of the country.

According to Trade Ministry data, the country exported 2,719 tonnes of tin during March this year. This is significantly down by almost 61% when compared with the exports during the same month a year before. The Indonesian tin exports had totaled 6,900 tonnes during March 2015. The volume of refined tin traded on the ICDX during March this year amounted to 2,655 tonnes. The preliminary figures are based on checks carried out by surveying companies prior to shipment and include small quantities of solder and tin products as well as tin ingot.

The exports during March this year were constrained by several factors. Firstly, the difficulties and delays in renewing export permits have affected shipments. Heavy floods in Bangka region left many smelters and mining areas unreachable. The disruption of electricity in flood affected areas too has affected smelter operations. Audits by smelters too contributed to the sharp fall in exports.

Meantime, exports are expected to rebound during the month of April. The sharp jump in trading volumes on ICDX during the initial days of the month clearly indicates significant revival in tin sales by the country during April ’16. The volume of trade on ICDX during the first four trading days of the current month totaled 2,585 tonnes. According to ITRI, the increased sales could be due to new export permits being allotted to producers.