LME Base Metals Inventories (2017-8-29)

The ban took effect on June 27, with an exception for exports to Russia, dealing another heavy blow to global sulfur supply: According to Order No. 1363 signed by Kazakhstan's Ministry of Energy on June 26, Kazakhstan fully suspended sulfur exports starting June 27, 2026, and the ban will remain in effect "until further notice." Notably, sulfur shipments destined for railway stations within the Russian Federation are exempted. The ban covers all categories, with logistics operators responsible for enforcement: This ban includes all mainstream industrial sulfur categories such as liquid sulfur, granular sulfur, and lump sulfur. The responsibility for supervision and enforcement has been explicitly assigned to relevant railway structures and logistics operators, including Dar Rail LLC and TTT Service LLC. Russia and Kazakhstan Take Successive Actions, Global Supply Sees Precipitous Contraction: Just one day before Kazakhstan's ban—on June 25, the Russian government signed Decree No. 785, extending the ban on industrial sulfur exports, originally set to expire on June 30, to December 31, 2026. The Russian ban also covers liquid, granular, and lump sulfur, with officials stating the move aims to prioritize domestic fertilizer production and strengthen national food security.

The brass billet industry is currently deep in the traditional consumption off-season. Weighed down by weak demand, tight raw material supply, and fluctuating costs, production in the sector remained under pressure.