Zinc prices averaged USD 2,937 per metric ton in September, up 5.2% from August. On 30 September, the commodity traded at USD 3,016 per metric ton, up 6.8% from 29 August.
Zinc prices recorded the joint-longest streak of expansions among base metals so far this year, rising for five straight months, and in September grew at the second-fastest rate in the subgroup. The rise was due to stronger Chinese steel output in September; around half of global zinc output is used to galvanize steel, with China being the top buyer. Moreover, the Chinese government’s plan to curb steel output next year boosted sentiment in the steelmaking sector, as tighter supply could support profitability.
This chart displays Zinc (US$/mt) from 2023 to 2025.
High Grade Zinc LME (prices in US$/mt, aop)
Q1 2023 | Q2 2023 | Q3 2023 | Q4 2023 | Q1 2024 | Q2 2024 | Q3 2024 | Q4 2024 | Q1 2025 | Q2 2025 | Q3 2025 | Q4 2025 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
High Grade Zinc LME | - | - | - | 2,500 | 2,449 | 2,833 | 2,781 | 3,049 | 2,837 | 2,636 | 2,829 | - |