Zinc futures held above $3,550 per tonne, hovering near a more than 3½-year high, supported by tightening supply conditions following recent disruptions. Operations at Nexa’s Cajamarquilla smelter in Peru were temporarily halted after a fire, while Glencore’s Kazzinc plant in Kazakhstan reduced capacity following a blast. Falling inventories and declining treatment charges for zinc concentrate further highlight constrained availability of raw materials. Ongoing mine closures have also added to supply-side strain. Some relief, however, may come from the expected restart of Boliden’s Tara mine, the ramp-up of Ivanhoe’s Kipushi project, and the resumption of output at Garpenberg in the second quarter, all of which could add incremental supply. On the demand side, improving industrial activity in China is offering some support, although ongoing uncertainty in the Middle East continue to weigh on the broader outlook.

Zinc fell to 3,521.35 USD/T on May 21, 2026, down 1.14% from the previous day. Over the past month, Zinc's price has risen 1.44%, and is up 30.16% compared to the same time last year, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. Historically, Zinc reached an all time high of 4603 in November of 2006. Zinc - data, forecasts, historical chart - was last updated on May 21 of 2026.

Zinc fell to 3,521.35 USD/T on May 21, 2026, down 1.14% from the previous day. Over the past month, Zinc's price has risen 1.44%, and is up 30.16% compared to the same time last year, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. Zinc is expected to trade at 3555.74 USD/MT by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. Looking forward, we estimate it to trade at 3749.65 in 12 months time.



Price Day Month Year Date
Coal 132.05 0.05 0.04% -0.64% 31.46% May/21
Bitumen 4,498.00 17.00 0.38% 10.84% 27.10% May/21
Cobalt 56,290.00 0 0% 0% 67.03% May/20
Lead 2,008.83 25.60 1.29% 2.03% 1.87% May/21
Aluminum 3,638.05 6.70 0.18% 0.25% 47.88% May/21
Tin 54,034.00 2421 4.69% 8.22% 64.47% May/20
Zinc 3,521.35 -40.50 -1.14% 1.44% 30.16% May/21
Nickel 18,755.00 -230 -1.21% 1.57% 21.08% May/21
Molybdenum 607.50 -2.00 -0.33% 10.45% 31.64% May/21
Palladium 1,399.00 9.50 0.69% -10.12% 36.62% May/21
Gallium 2,200.00 0 0% 6.02% 27.54% May/21
Germanium 20,250.00 0 0% 15.71% 35.00% May/21
Manganese 33.45 0 0% -2.62% 11.31% May/21
Indium 4,750.00 0 0% 11.76% 90.38% May/21
Soda Ash 1,196.00 0 0% -2.13% -14.20% May/21
Neodymium 950,000.00 5000 0.53% -13.24% 78.40% May/21
Tellurium 802.50 0 0% 2.88% 8.45% May/21
Rhodium 9,650.00 -50 -0.52% -4.93% 77.06% May/21


Zinc
Zinc Futures are available for trading in The London Metal Exchange (LME). The standard contract size it 25 tonnes. Zinc is often used in die-casting alloys, castings, brass products, sheeting products, chemicals, medicine, paints and batteries. The biggest producers of zinc are. China, Peru, Australia, United States, Canada, India and Kazakhstan. Zinc prices displayed in Trading Economics are based on over-the-counter (OTC) and contract for difference (CFD) financial instruments. Our market prices are intended to provide you with a reference only, rather than as a basis for making trading decisions. The data is supplied by a third party and, while efforts are made to ensure its accuracy, Trading Economics does not verify the data and makes no representations or warranties regarding its accuracy..
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
3521.35 3561.85 4603.00 176.37 1960 - 2026 USD/MT Daily

News Stream
Zinc Hovers Near 3½-Year High
Zinc futures held above $3,550 per tonne, hovering near a more than 3½-year high, supported by tightening supply conditions following recent disruptions. Operations at Nexa’s Cajamarquilla smelter in Peru were temporarily halted after a fire, while Glencore’s Kazzinc plant in Kazakhstan reduced capacity following a blast. Falling inventories and declining treatment charges for zinc concentrate further highlight constrained availability of raw materials. Ongoing mine closures have also added to supply-side strain. Some relief, however, may come from the expected restart of Boliden’s Tara mine, the ramp-up of Ivanhoe’s Kipushi project, and the resumption of output at Garpenberg in the second quarter, all of which could add incremental supply. On the demand side, improving industrial activity in China is offering some support, although ongoing uncertainty in the Middle East continue to weigh on the broader outlook.
2026-05-18
Zinc Hits 3-year High
Zinc increased to 3589.00 USD/T, the highest since August 2022. Over the past 4 weeks, Zinc gained 5.62%, and in the last 12 months, it increased 31.5%.
2026-05-14
Zinc Hits 14-week High
Zinc increased to 3500.00 USD/T, the highest since January 2026. Over the past 4 weeks, Zinc gained 5.4%, and in the last 12 months, it increased 28.82%.
2026-05-12