Zinc futures held above $3,500 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 rose to 3,543.05 USD/T on May 18, 2026, up 0.41% from the previous day. Over the past month, Zinc's price has risen 3.83%, and is up 32.50% 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 18 of 2026.
Zinc rose to 3,543.05 USD/T on May 18, 2026, up 0.41% from the previous day. Over the past month, Zinc's price has risen 3.83%, and is up 32.50% 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.