锌矿供给增长但难解决内外锌锭供需失衡

Report Summary - The core contradiction of zinc logic has changed from the expectation of ore supply surplus to the difficult - to - solve internal and external supply - demand contradiction. The growth of ore supply has been realized, but the imbalance between internal and external zinc ingot supply and demand persists [2]. Domestic Zinc Ore Reserve and TC - From January to July 2025, China's cumulative zinc concentrate imports reached 3.035 million tons, a year - on - year increase of 45.2%. The cumulative domestic ore production was 2.0677 million metal tons, a year - on - year decrease of 60,000 tons. Domestic ore production increase is difficult, and the supply growth is lower than expected. The TC may have limited upward space in the later stage [5][8]. Overseas Zinc Ore Production - According to sample mines, the production in Q1 2025 was 1.136 million tons, and in Q2 it was 1.17 million tons. Assuming 3 unreported mines had the same Q2 output as Q1, the Q2 output would be 1.215 million tons, an increase of about 80,000 tons quarter - on - quarter and 110,000 tons year - on - year. The annual output of major mines in 2025 is expected to increase by about 550,000 tons [5][17]. Domestic Smelting and Supply - From January to August 2025, China's refined zinc production was 4.469 million tons, a year - on - year increase of 7.5%. In August, the monthly output increased by 28.8% year - on - year, and the expected growth rate in September is over 20%. The smelting profit persists, and the supply pressure remains. Even if the consumption peak season arrives as expected, the social inventory is expected to continue to accumulate, with an expected increase of over 200,000 tons in the second half of the year [5][23]. Overseas Supply and Inventory - In the first half of 2025, overseas refined zinc production was 3.404 million tons, a year - on - year decrease of 2.3% and a quarter - on - quarter decrease of 1.3%. The expected output in the second half is 3.338 million tons, a year - on - year decrease of 3.3% and a quarter - on - quarter decrease of 1.9%. Overseas supply is affected by smelting profit and declines, while consumption remains relatively strong. There is a risk of inventory shortage due to continuous inventory depletion. The import and export windows are both closed, and the imbalance between internal and external supply and demand is difficult to resolve in the short term [5][25].