June 2024: Zinc Ingot prices Increase in USA and Germany, High Demand and Logistical Challenges to Blame

By the end of June, Zinc Ingot prices increased due to supply chain disruptions, reducing availability, and creating bottlenecks. Globally, zinc prices rose in May, reflecting challenges such as logistical issues and raw material shortages. Strong demand from sectors like construction has helped maintaining upward price pressure. In Germany, Zinc Ingot prices rose by the end of June. Rising production feedstock costs and new safeguards on imports contributed to this increase. Strikes at major ports by Germany’s Ver.di union have disrupted logistics and increased freight charges. Moreover, the automobile sector's strong sales in June also boosted demand for Zinc Ingots, maintaining the upward price trend. Meanwhile in China, Zinc Ingot prices continue to follow the previous week's trend with steady demand offsetting supply-side disruptions.

With the week ending on June 28th, Zinc Ingot prices increased by 1.2% due to supply and demand disruptions. The ongoing supply chain issues have significantly reduced the availability of Zinc Ingots, created a bottleneck, and put upward pressure on prices. Industries across various sectors are struggling to meet their production requirements due to these disruptions. Globally, zinc prices rose by 8.4% in May, according to data from the Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED), reflecting broader challenges in the zinc supply chain, including logistical issues, raw material shortages, and transportation delays. On the demand side, Zinc Ingot consumption has remained strong, driven by increased activity in key downstream sectors like construction. In May, the seasonally adjusted annual rate of public construction spending increase from the revised April estimate. Although highway construction spending slightly decreased from April, it still represents a significant portion of overall public construction, indicating steady demand for zinc in infrastructure projects. This steady demand has helped counterbalance some of the supply-side disruptions, maintaining upward pressure on prices.

By the end of the week on June 28th, Zinc Ingot prices in Germany increased by 1.4% compared to the previous week. The Zinc Ingot market in Germany has been affected by several supply and demand factors. Rising costs of production feedstock, particularly imported feedstock, have been a significant concern. New safeguards have led to increased import offers, with overseas suppliers awaiting official documentation to confirm their impact on market dynamics. This cautious approach has contributed to the overall rise in Zinc Ingot prices. Additionally, Germany’s powerful union, Ver.di, has been staging a series of “warning strikes” across major German commercial ports, including Wilhelmshaven. These strikes have disrupted logistics and increased freight charges. Carriers have been warning customers about potential schedule impacts and are considering measures like diversions and move count restrictions to mitigate delays, further affecting the supply chain and costs. On the demand side, the Zinc Ingot market has seen a proportional increase due to rising downstream demand. The automobile sector experienced a 25% increase in sales volume in June compared to the previous month. This surge in automobile sales has driven up the demand for Zinc Ingots, as zinc is a critical component in automobile manufacturing for corrosion resistance and galvanization.

According to ChemAnalyst, Zinc Ingot prices in the USA are likely to rise due to increasing demand across various downstream sectors. The construction industry may show sign of a potential resurgence, which could stimulate buying activity and drive prices higher. Additionally, Germany's government may consider measures to boost its domestic Zinc Ingot industry, potentially contributing to a broader global price increase. Meanwhile, the expansion of China’s automotive sector may lead to a surge in worldwide demand for Zinc Ingot.