Tin exports fall 9 percent in May

Indonesia's monthly tin exports dropped in May this year despite an increase in the value of tin exports, data from the Trade Ministry shows.

May?s export value rose 3.47 percent to US$160.75 million, from $155.35 million in April although tin bar export shipments fell 9 percent to 7,150 tons from 7,857 tons over the same period.

Exports of the commodity in the January-May period this year reached 33,711 tons, with a value of $585.66 million.

The rise in the price of the commodity was partly helped by the government?s move to tighten regulations to combat flourishing illegal mining sites.

In May, Singapore became Indonesia?s main destination country for tin exports with a total volume of 5,992 tons shipped, valued at $134.14 million, followed by Malaysia with 699 tons at $16.67 million, Taiwan with 143 tons at $3.09 million, Japan with 143 tons at $3.08 million, South Korea with 124 tons at $2.68 million and India with 50 tons at $1.07 million. (*)