Zinc Prices

Zinc prices averaged USD 2,611 per metric ton in April, down 9.5% from March. On 30 April, the commodity traded at USD 2,557 per metric ton, down 9.8% from 31 March.

Heightened trade tensions between the U.S and China dented prices in recent weeks. Moreover, in April, Canadian miner Teck and smelter Korea Zinc agreed to an over 50% cut in zinc treatment charges to USD 80 per ton, bringing the nominal market benchmark fee to its lowest since 1972. Nonetheless, this is well above spot treatment charges, which turned negative in late 2024 due to ore scarcity. Consequently, it signals that top market players expect mine supply to recover this year, which could cap prices ahead.