Tin: World Smelter Production, By Country Or Locality

This table presents detailed data on global tin smelter production, broken down by country or locality, including both primary production from ores and concentrates and secondary production from recycled tin metal. Tracking this information is crucial for understanding the supply dynamics of tin, a metal widely used in electronics, soldering, and various industrial applications. The data aids policymakers, industry stakeholders, and analysts in assessing market trends, supply security, and the economic health of tin-producing regions, which can influence global pricing and trade decisions.

Analysis of the data from 2019 to 2023 reveals that China remains the dominant producer, with output around 177,000 metric tons in 2023, slightly down from a peak of 203,000 metric tons in 2020. Indonesia showed a notable recovery after a dip in 2021, increasing from 34,780 metric tons that year to an estimated 68,700 metric tons in 2023, reflecting a strong rebound in primary production. Brazil also experienced fluctuations, peaking at 17,200 metric tons in 2022 before declining to 15,400 metric tons in 2023. Secondary production, such as that in Belgium and the United States, showed a general decline, with Belgium’s output estimated at 7,900 metric tons in 2023, down from 9,300 metric tons in 2019. Overall, global tin smelter production rebounded to an estimated 358,000 metric tons in 2023 after a low of 328,000 metric tons in 2021, indicating a recovering market following earlier disruptions.

TABLE 10
TIN: WORLD SMELTER PRODUCTION, BY COUNTRY OR LOCALITY1, 2

(Metric tons, tin content)

Country or locality	2019		2020		2021		2022		2023
Belgium, secondary	9300		9000		9800		9300	e	7900	e
Bolivia, primary	15111		10414		16258		14825		14928
Brazil, primarye	12300	r	12800	r	16300	r	17200	r	15400
China, primary	181200		203000		180000	e	181800	r	177000	e
India, primary	19		13		19		49	r	28	e
Indonesia, primary	76389		56200	r	34780		57140		68700	e
Japan, primary	1547		1558		1500	e	1600	e	1700	e
Malaysia, primary	25752	r	22325	r	16619	r	19385	r	20722
Peru, primary	19555		19585		25947		26706		25374
Rwanda, primary	92		547		395		643		782
Spain, secondary	101		115		220		314	r	200	e
Thailand, primary	10956		11265		12100		9500		9200
United States, secondary	10500		9550	e	9860		9430		9500	e
Vietnam, primary	4800		4600	e	4600	e	5200	r, e	6500	e
Grand total	368000	r	361000	r	328000		353000	r	358000
Of which:
Primary	348000	r	342000	r	309000	r	334000	r	340000
Secondary	19900		18700		19900		19000	r	17600

^eEstimated. ^rRevised.

¹Table includes data available through September 9, 2024. All data are reported unless otherwise noted; totals may include estimated data. Grand totals, U.S. data, and estimated data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.

²Whenever possible, total output has been separated into primary (from ores and concentrates) and secondary (tin metal recovered from old scrap). Data reflects metal production at the first measurable stage of metal output.