It is worth noting that the overall overseas ternary cathode demand outlook for 2026 remains subdued. The U.S. market has been sluggish since the fourth quarter of last year, prompting many overseas manufacturers to place their hopes on the European market.

Data released by the online customs statistics query platform showed that China’s refined tin imports were 1,101.12 mt in January 2026, down 28.86% MoM and down 52.82% YoY. Indonesia was the largest origin, with refined tin imports from Indonesia at 613.8 mt that month, down 3.53% MoM and down 66.36% YoY. Russia was the second-largest origin, with refined tin imports from Russia at 158.06 mt that month, up 691.52% MoM. Below is a breakdown of China’s refined tin imports in January 2026 compiled based on data from the official website of the General Administration of Customs: Source: General Administration of Customs Note: 1. Refined tin includes unwrought non-alloy tin (refined tin). 2. The total imports (total) also include data for certain origins not listed in the table above. (Wenhua Composite)

[SMM Daily Review: Low-Priced Sell-Offs Fueled Panic Sentiment, Triggering a Phased Decline in High-Grade NPI] March 20 News: SMM's upstream sentiment factor for high-grade NPI was 2.84, down 0.04 MoM, while the downstream sentiment factor for high-grade NPI was 1.63, up 0.04 MoM.

SMM News, March 20: In the morning session, SHFE aluminum 2604 fluctuated downward, with the price center falling sharply from the previous trading day. Affected by the decline in aluminum prices, overall purchasing sentiment rose today, prompting sellers to hold prices firm. Mainstream transaction prices in the market today were concentrated around the average price of the SHFE aluminum 04 contract to +20 yuan/mt. Today, the east China market shipments sentiment index was 3.2, up 0.06 MoM; the purchasing sentiment index was 3.23, up 0.07 MoM. Today, SHFE aluminum futures prices plunged sharply. Coupled with downstream processing enterprises' procurement and stockpiling demand ahead of the weekend market closure, overall buying sentiment in the central China market was high, with strong bullish sentiment. Suppliers showed a strong willingness to hold prices firm, and there was no downward trend in market quotations. However, the pass-through of prices to downstream enterprises resulted in relatively limited premiums. Ultimately, the overall quotation range in the central China market was concentrated at central China prices plus 10 yuan to plus 60 yuan, while actual mainstream transaction prices were concentrated at central China prices plus 30 yuan to plus 40 yuan. Today, the central China market shipments sentiment index was 2.61, up 0.03 MoM; the purchasing sentiment index was 2.51, up 0.08 MoM. Inventory side, aluminum ingot inventory in mainstream consumption regions fell by 3,000 mt MoM today, with destocking mainly coming from Wuxi and Gongyi. In the short term, after the Chinese New Year, aluminum ingot inventory has continued its seasonal buildup. Affected by bullish market sentiment, premiums are expected to maintain a narrowing trend.

[Downstream Enterprises Actively Priced and Purchased, with Spot Transactions Improving Significantly During the Week]: This week, Ningbo spot premiums continued to rise, with the weekly average price up 20 yuan/mt WoW. As of this Friday, Ningbo spot prices against the 2604 contract were at a discount of 30 yuan/mt, with a premium of 50 yuan/mt against Shanghai, and the premium against Shanghai widened during the week..

[SHFE/LME Price Ratio Rebounded and Fluctuated Around 7.4]: This week, the SHFE/LME price ratio rebounded and fluctuated around 7.4, and the zinc ingot import window remained closed. Outside China, geopolitical disruptions were frequent. After the US Fed kept interest rates unchanged, the market bet on a US Fed rate hike, and LME zinc fell below key levels. Subsequently, bearish factors were gradually digested, and LME zinc rebounded from lows.