From January to February of WBMS:2021, there is a shortage of 43000 tons of lead in the global lead market.

According to the latest report released by the World Bureau of Metals Statistics ((WBMS)) on April 21, there is a shortage of 43000 tons of lead in the global lead market from January to February 2021, up from 114000 tons in 2020.

Total inventories at the end of February were 42000 tons lower than at the end of 2020.

Large unreported inventory changes are not taken into account in consumption statistics. Demand is estimated on an apparent basis, and the full impact of the national blockade imposed to curb the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic may not be fully reflected in trade statistics.

The global refined lead (including primary and secondary sources) from January to February 2021 was 2.268 million tons, an increase of 18 per cent over the same period in 2020.

China's apparent demand is estimated at 1.1136 million tons, about 48% of the global total, an increase of 368000 tons over the same period in 2020.

The apparent demand in the United States from January to February in 2021 is 11600 tons higher than that in the same period in 2020.

In February 2021, the production of refined lead was 1.1302 million tons and the demand was 1.1485 million tons.