Spot refined zinc ingot premiums have firmed to multi-year highs in the United States and Europe, with smelter hitches and increasingly expensive transportation stretching supply chains further during the summer season in the northern hemisphere.
US spot zinc premium rises to a more than four-year high Rotterdam, Antwerp zinc premiums at highest since early 2018China market eyes narrowing negative import arbitrage US spot zinc premiums increase, lead stable
The special high-grade zinc premium increased on Tuesday August 24, with the
zinc SHG min 99.995% ingot premium, ddp Midwest US at 8.75-10.00 cents per lb, up by 10.35% from 8-9 cents per lb the previous week and the highest level since May 23, 2017, when it was assessed at 9-10 cents per lb.
One seller heard of three spot deals in the "10-cent-plus" range, he said, although he specified his asking price was 8.75-9.75 cents per lb, depending on the location of delivery and transportation costs.
Market participants agreed that supply in the market is tight, with
disruptions in deliveries from South America.
A lack...