Another Slow Month for Indonesian Exports

INDONESIA, Jun. 17 -- Provisional data released by Indonesia' trade ministry today indicates that tin exports in May were 7,333 tonnes, 26% lower than in the same month of last year. Cumulative tonnage for the five months from January to May was 35,234 tonnes, down 16% year-on-year. The data is based on reports from surveying companies which check tin prior to export under the ministry's export licencing system.

Indonesian production was curtailed in the early months of the year by a prolonged monsoon season, but had been expected to bounce back in the second quarter. The latest statistics indicate that there may be ongoing problems, perhaps linked to declining production from small-scale mines.