In the first three months of the year, the zinc market was in a deficit of 6,000 tonnes versus a surplus of 3,000 tonnes in the same period last year. Mine output rose to 3,298,000 tonnes, up 11 percent from the first three months of last year.

ILZSG said zinc stocks at consumers, producers and in exchange warehouses fell to 1,356,900 tonnes in March from 1,391,300 tonnes in the previous month.