Zinc Price in 1990
In 1990, the price of zinc averaged $1,513 per tonne, down 8.8% from the year before. This page covers the 1990 average, high, low, and year-end close, the events that moved the market, and what that zinc would be worth in today's dollars.
1990 Average
$1,513
LME annual average, USD/tonne
Change vs 1989
-8.8%
from $1,659 in 1989
What happened to the zinc price in 1990
Zinc averaged $1,513 per tonne in 1990, down 8.8% from $1,659 the year before.
The 1990s were choppy and ultimately soft, with the 1997-98 Asian crisis and persistent oversupply leaving zinc near $1,000 by decade's end.
Adjusted for inflation, zinc's 1990 average of $1,513 equals about $3,731 in today's dollars. The conversion uses US Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U annual averages, so treat it as a close approximation rather than an exact figure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the price of zinc in 1990?
What is a 1990 zinc price worth in today's dollars?
Annual averages are World Bank and LME zinc prices per tonne in US dollars (LME cash and settlement basis). The 2025 figure is preliminary. Where daily data exists, the per-year high, low, and close come from MetalCharts historical data. Inflation adjustments use BLS CPI-U annual averages.