Commodities
Zinc Market Tightens as Mine Supply Disruptions Rattle Buyers
- The metal has moved rapidly into backwardation on the LME
- Mining disruptions may force smelters to dial back production
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Spot zinc prices have shot above later-dated futures on the London Metal Exchange, signaling a tight market as large buyers scoop up inventories and pile into futures at a time when a string of mine disruptions threatens to throttle supplies.
Cash zinc contracts are trading at a $24.09 premium to three-month futures, in a pricing structure known as backwardation that’s a hallmark sign that spot demand is exceeding supply. The spread was trading at a discount as recently as last week, and is now at the highest level since 2023.