Official customs data released on Monday show China importing 1,095 tonnes of refined tin in February, while exporting just 4 tonnes of refined tin or alloy. Major suppliers of tin metal last month were Indonesia (509 tonnes) and Bolivia (202 tonnes). In the first two months of the year exports totalled 1,938 tonnes (down 24% on the same period of last year), while exports of 34 tonnes were 87% lower.
Imports of tin concentrates have been rising. February imports of 555 tonnes (gross weight) were mainly from Bolivia and Brazil. January-February imports of 1,534 tonnes were up 17.4% on the same period of 2008.
