India’s silver imports may keep rising

Bloomberg

Silver imports by India, one of the world’s top buyers, may keep rising next year after bouncing back this year from a four-year low in 2016, boosted by weak prices.
Overseas purchases are estimated at as high as 5,500 metric tons in 2017 and may rise to about 6,000 tons next year, surging from 3,000 tons in 2016, according to Chirag Sheth, an analyst at London-based Metals Focus Ltd., an independent precious-metals research firm.
“We are surprised by the recovery,” said Sheth, who had expected a contraction in purchases at the start of the year. Shipments rose amid a rush to import more silver ahead of the implementation of the new goods and services tax in July, he said.
Demand suffered in 2016 after PM Modi clamped down on the black market. The drop in prices spurred by the GST has turned the tide for silver this year with demand seen rising about 7 percent to 5,338 tons in 2017 and 5,592 tons in 2018, Sheth said.
Futures in Mumbai have slumped 5.3 percent this year to around $575 a kilogram. Prices are set for a fourth year of losses in five years. India imports most of its silver, from places including the UK, mainland China and Hong Kong. Locally, Hindustan Zinc Ltd. produces about 450 tons annually.
“There has been a consistent improvement in the market, with visible improvement in the jewelry segment and the silverware segment,” Sheth said. “Where it still continues to disappoint is the investment side and that is testament to the fact that silver prices have not gone anywhere.”