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This table presents key statistics related to tin production, consumption, trade, stocks, and pricing primarily for the United States, alongside global production figures. The data encompasses secondary production from recycled sources, refined tin exports and imports, reported consumption by primary and secondary sectors, yearend stocks held by U.S. industry, and average tin prices from major market indices. Additionally, global mine and smelter production volumes are included to provide context on worldwide supply. This information is crucial for understanding the economic and industrial dynamics of tin, a metal widely used in soldering, plating, and alloying, which supports electronics manufacturing, automotive industries, and other critical sectors.
Analyzing the data from 2019 through 2023 reveals several notable trends. U.S. secondary tin production from old scrap remained relatively stable, hovering around 9,400 metric tons annually since 2020. Refined tin exports fluctuated, peaking at 1,310 metric tons in 2022 before declining to 918 metric tons in 2023. Imports for consumption showed a downward trend from 38,100 metric tons in 2021 to 28,200 metric tons in 2023, indicating a possible tightening of supply or shifts in domestic demand. Reported primary consumption decreased slightly from 28,500 metric tons in 2020 to 26,100 metric tons in 2023, while secondary consumption dropped more markedly from 4,250 metric tons in 2020 to 2,480 metric tons in 2023. U.S. industry stocks increased notably in 2023, reaching 11,200 metric tons, the highest in the five-year span. Price data reflect significant volatility: after peaking in 2021 with Platts Metals Week prices at $15.80 per pound, average prices declined to $12.56 per pound in 2023. Globally, mine production rebounded in 2023 to 305,000 metric tons after several years of decline, and total smelter production also rose to 358,000 metric tons, suggesting a strengthening in global tin supply.
| TABLE 1 | |||||||||||||||||
| SALIENT TIN STATISTICS1 | |||||||||||||||||
| (Metric tons, tin content, unless otherwise specified) | |||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |||||||||||||
| United States: | |||||||||||||||||
| Production, secondary, tin content from old scrape | 10100 | r | 9320 | r | 9430 | r | 9420 | r | 9430 | ||||||||
| Exports, refined tin | 1300 | 519 | 1290 | 1310 | 918 | ||||||||||||
| Imports for consumption, refined tin | 34100 | 31600 | 38100 | 33200 | 28200 | ||||||||||||
| Consumption, reported: | |||||||||||||||||
| Primary | 28000 | r | 28500 | r | 26200 | r | 26500 | r | 26100 | ||||||||
| Secondary | 4210 | r | 4250 | r | 2750 | 2470 | r | 2480 | |||||||||
| Stocks, yearend, U.S. industry2 | 10200 | 10400 | 9030 | r | 9180 | r | 11200 | ||||||||||
| Price, average:3 | |||||||||||||||||
| Platts Metals Week New York dealer, Grade A | cents per pound | 868.08 | 798.65 | 1580.06 | 1545.94 | 1255.86 | |||||||||||
| London Metal Exchange, cash | do. | 846.43 | 777.15 | 1478.14 | 1422.55 | 1177.46 | |||||||||||
| World, production:4 | |||||||||||||||||
| Mine | 314000 | r | 289000 | r | 289000 | r | 284000 | r | 305000 | ||||||||
| Smelter: | |||||||||||||||||
| Primary | 348000 | r | 342000 | r | 309000 | r | 334000 | r | 340000 | ||||||||
| Secondary | 19900 | 18700 | 19900 | 19000 | r | 17600 | |||||||||||
| Total | 368000 | r | 361000 | r | 328000 | 353000 | r | 358000 | |||||||||
eEstimated. rRevised. do. Ditto.
1Table includes data available through September 9, 2024. Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits, except prices.
2Includes primary, secondary, in process, jobbers-importers, and pig tin afloat to the United States.
3Source: S&P Global Platts Metals Week.
4May include estimated data.
Source: United States Geological Survey Mineral Resources Program
See also: Tin statistics | Mineral commodity prices