Zinc futures were at $3,530 per tonne, hovering close to a four-year high amid tightening supply. A fire at a sulphuric acid unit at a South Korean zinc smelter added to worries over near-term supply availability. This followed recent disruptions at key facilities, with Glencore’s Kazzinc in Kazakhstan continuing to run at reduced capacity following an explosion, Nexa’s Cajamarquilla smelter in Peru gradually restarting operations after a fire, and uncertainty over output at Boliden’s Garpenberg mine after seismic activity earlier this year. Also supporting prices, manufacturing data from China, Europe, and the US pointed to resilient industrial activity despite high input costs. However, the supply-demand outlook remained mixed, with China’s refined zinc production rising 9.4% year-on-year in May and Shanghai Futures Exchange inventories edging up 0.6%, indicating stable supply conditions. Renewed tensions in the Middle East also clouded the demand outlook for industrial commodities.

Zinc rose to 3,561.95 USD/T on July 21, 2026, up 1.33% from the previous day. Over the past month, Zinc's price has fallen 1.34%, but it is still 24.70% higher than a year ago, 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 July 21 of 2026.

Zinc rose to 3,561.95 USD/T on July 21, 2026, up 1.33% from the previous day. Over the past month, Zinc's price has fallen 1.34%, but it is still 24.70% higher than a year ago, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. Zinc is expected to trade at 3570.97 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 3755.81 in 12 months time.



Price Day Month Year Date
Coal 130.40 0.40 0.31% -9.38% 18.71% Jul/20
Bitumen 4,164.00 -39.00 -0.93% 5.07% 15.25% Jul/21
Cobalt 56,290.00 0 0% 0% 68.86% Jul/20
Lead 1,891.58 8.10 0.43% -3.89% -6.10% Jul/21
Aluminum 3,159.35 21.55 0.69% -6.04% 18.90% Jul/21
Tin 52,878.00 -352 -0.66% -2.41% 56.39% Jul/20
Zinc 3,561.15 45.85 1.30% -1.36% 24.67% Jul/21
Nickel 17,129.13 219 1.30% -3.28% 10.30% Jul/21
Molybdenum 617.50 0 0% 2.49% 31.38% Jul/21
Palladium 1,279.00 10.50 0.83% 0.63% -2.77% Jul/21
Gallium 1,925.00 0 0% -4.94% 14.93% Jul/21
Germanium 23,750.00 500 2.15% 2.15% 61.02% Jul/21
Manganese 29.75 0 0% -6.30% 1.02% Jul/21
Indium 5,750.00 0 0% 20.42% 112.57% Jul/21
Soda Ash 1,120.00 0 0% -3.95% -3.95% Jul/20
Neodymium 1,005,000.00 0 0% 4.69% 68.20% Jul/21
Tellurium 820.00 0 0% 0% 35.54% Jul/21
Rhodium 8,200.00 0 0% 2.50% 38.98% Jul/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
3561.95 3515.30 4603.00 176.37 1960 - 2026 USD/MT Daily

News Stream
Zinc Hovers Near 4-Year High
Zinc futures were at $3,530 per tonne, hovering close to a four-year high amid tightening supply. A fire at a sulphuric acid unit at a South Korean zinc smelter added to worries over near-term supply availability. This followed recent disruptions at key facilities, with Glencore’s Kazzinc in Kazakhstan continuing to run at reduced capacity following an explosion, Nexa’s Cajamarquilla smelter in Peru gradually restarting operations after a fire, and uncertainty over output at Boliden’s Garpenberg mine after seismic activity earlier this year. Also supporting prices, manufacturing data from China, Europe, and the US pointed to resilient industrial activity despite high input costs. However, the supply-demand outlook remained mixed, with China’s refined zinc production rising 9.4% year-on-year in May and Shanghai Futures Exchange inventories edging up 0.6%, indicating stable supply conditions. Renewed tensions in the Middle East also clouded the demand outlook for industrial commodities.
2026-07-14
Zinc Advances
Zinc futures rose to around $3,620 per tonne, moving near a four-year high, amid tightening near-term supply while manufacturing data supported demand expectations. Manufacturing indicators from China, Europe, and the US indicated that industrial activity remained resilient despite elevated costs, raising prospects for steady zinc consumption. Recent disruptions across key producers have reinforced supply concerns, with Glencore’s Kazzinc smelter in Kazakhstan continuing to operate at reduced capacity following an explosion, while Nexa’s Cajamarquilla smelter in Peru is gradually restarting operations after a fire-related shutdown. A seismic event at Boliden’s Garpenberg mine earlier this year has also raised the possibility of prolonged lower output. Adding to this, inventories on the Shanghai Futures Exchange fell 2.2% from the previous week, highlighting tightening availability in the physical market.
2026-07-09
Zinc Holds Gain
Zinc futures hovered around $3,540 per tonne, holding the rebound from a seven-week low amid tight supply conditions. Glencore’s Kazzinc facility in Kazakhstan continues to operate at reduced rates after an explosion, while Nexa’s Cajamarquilla smelter in Peru is recovering from fire-related damage. Concerns also persist about extended production disruptions at Boliden’s Garpenberg mine after a seismic event earlier this year. These supply constraints come as the International Lead and Zinc Study Group forecasts a refined zinc deficit of 19,000 tonnes this year. At the same time, the US-Iran peace deal eased concerns over further disruptions to global economic activity and improved the outlook for industrial demand.
2026-06-29