Markets

FacebookXLinkedIn

EmailLink

Gift

FacebookXLinkedIn

EmailLink

GiftGift this article

Confidential tip?Send a tip to our reporters

Site feedback:Take our SurveyNew Window

FacebookXLinkedIn

EmailLink

Gift

By Yihui Xie and Jack Ryan

March 20, 2026 at 5:28 AM UTC

BookmarkSave

China’s ravenous appetite for silver lifted overseas purchases to an eight-year high at the start of 2026, as importers fed a surge in industrial and investment demand.

The world’s biggest buyer pulled in over 790 tons in the first two months, including nearly 470 tons in February, the highest ever for that month, according to Chinese customs data on Friday. Strong demand has pushed local prices well above international benchmarks, whittling down already-low exchange stockpiles and hoovering up metal from abroad.

China Pulls Silver From Global Markets to Meet Surging Demand - Bloomberg