Record demand pushes silver into new era of deficits, Silver Institute says

The silver market was undersupplied by 237.7 million ounces in 2022, the institute said in its latest World Silver Survey, calling this “possibly the most significant deficit on record”.

It said 2022’s undersupply and a 51.1 million ounce shortfall in 2021 had wiped out cumulative surpluses from the previous decade and predicted further undersupply of 142.1 million ounces this year.

“We are moving into a different paradigm for the market, one of ongoing deficits,” said Philip Newman at consultants Metals Focus, which prepared the Silver Institute’s data.

But he said this wouldn’t necessarily cause prices to shoot higher because while visible silver inventories are falling, huge amounts of metal held by individuals and investors can still fill supply gaps.

Silver prices have drifted mostly lower since 2020 as interest rates rose, discouraging investment in precious metals, which don’t offer interest.

Silver should average $21.30 an ounce this year, below last year’s average of $21.73, the institute said.

Demand for silver rose to record highs from all major users — jewellers, industry and buyers of silver bars and coins, according to the institute.

Silver is used in many industries including electronics and solar panels, and demand is expanding as the world moves away from fossil fuels.

India also imported huge amounts of silver last year, though demand there should cool somewhat in 2023, according to Newman.

Over the longer term, Newman said, “there is not a great deal of movement (in silver supply), whereas on the demand side we generally have that doing quite well … industrial demand in particular.”