Global production of lead and zinc will exceed demand in 2025 and 2026, the International Lead and Zinc Research Group (ILZSG) predicts.
Refined lead output is expected to increase by 2% this year to 13.34 million tons. This will mainly be driven by increased production in Canada, Germany, India, Mexico, Sweden and Brazil, while emissions are expected to fall in Kazakhstan, the UK and the US.
Global production will increase by 1% in 2026 to reach 13.47 million tonnes. At the same time, in China and the UK, experts
World consumption of lead this year may increase by 1.8% and amount to 13.25 million tons, in particular in Europe - by 1.8%, in the USA - by 6.6%, in China - by 0.9%. Next year, global demand for the metal is expected to increase by 0.9% to 13.37 million tons, with a decline of 1.7% in China. Groups.
Production of refined zinc in the world this year is expected to increase by 2.7% - to 13.8 million tons
In particular, production in China will increase by 6.2%. It is also expected to grow in Norway, where Boliden completed the expansion of the ODDA plant in March150 thousand tons per year. Meanwhile, zinc output in Italy and Japan is forecast due to the closure of Glencore and Toho Zinc in those countries, as well as in Brazil, Canada, Mexico and South Korea. Growth in Brazil, Canada, Norway and China.
Metal consumption this year could increase by 1.1% to 13.71 million tons. In particular, growth is expected in China by 1.3%, in Europe - by 0.7%. Experts also suggest the possibility of increased demand in India, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand and Vietnam, as well as a decrease in Brazil and South Korea.
In 2026, global demand for zinc will increase by 1% and amount to 13.86 million tons. In particular, in China it will rise by 0.1%, growth is also predicted in Europe, Brazil, India and the USA.
The world surplus of zinc in 2025 is expected to be 85 thousand tons, next year - 271 thousand tons
ILZSG, UNC, UNSC, UNSC. The situation on the world markets of these metals. Members of the group are Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, China, Finland, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Morocco, Namibia, Norway, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Serbia, Sweden, Türkiye. Thesecountries account for more than 85% of the world's lead and zinc consumption.
