LME three-month tin futures plummeted 4.5% to $49,550 per metric ton on June 25, breaching the psychologically important $50,000 level. The selloff was the largest single-day drop of any LME base metal on the day, exacerbated by thin liquidity in the tin contract. Weekly losses now stand at 10.6%.
Tin's decline from its June high of $57,525 to $49,550 represents a 13.9% drawdown in less than three weeks. The speed of the reversal reflects tin's unique position in the metals complex: it is the most sensitive to electronics demand (solder accounts for roughly 50% of tin consumption), and the electronics cycle is showing signs of softening.
LME tin inventories have risen approximately 12% from their mid-June lows to roughly 4,800 tonnes, easing one of the tightness factors that had supported tin above $55,000 earlier in the month. However, 4,800 tonnes is still a very low absolute level by historical standards -- equivalent to less than two days of global consumption.
On the supply side, Myanmar tin production remains disrupted by the ongoing political situation, with exports from the Wa State region running well below pre-2023 levels. Indonesian tin exports have partially recovered but are still constrained by licensing delays. The supply picture is tight, but right now demand fears are dominating the price narrative.
Tin at $49,550 is roughly 14% cheaper than it was three weeks ago. For electronics manufacturers and solder buyers, this is the best entry point since May. The supply constraints haven’t gone anywhere — Myanmar is still disrupted, Indonesia is still slow — and when demand sentiment stabilizes, tin could snap back quickly. Don’t wait for $47,000. Layer in coverage at these levels.