China’s silver imports set to jump on solar demand

Chinese imports have already been strong in recent months, hitting a three-year high in December of about 390 tonnes before falling back. — Bloomberg

SHANGHAI: Chinese silver imports could surge in the coming weeks, as traders take advantage of a jump in demand that’s taken prices well above the international market. Silver’s in a sweet spot because of its dual uses as an industrial metal and a financial asset.

It’s an important material in solar panels, which China continues to build in vast quantities, and it’s also a cheaper alternative to gold, which is setting its own records on price led by Chinese demand.