China’s insatiable appetite for silver drove overseas purchases to an eight-year high at the beginning of 2026 as importers fueled a spike in industrial and investment demand. According to Chinese customs data released on Friday, the largest buyer in the world received over 790 tons in the first two months, including nearly 470 tons in February—the highest amount ever for that month. Due to strong demand, local prices have risen significantly above global benchmarks, reducing already low exchange reserves and prompting the acquisition of metal from overseas. A wave of speculative buying from China and other countries ... (full story)