Silver Price Surges: Hits $82 – First Time Ever

Silver continued to record gains during early trading, on the night of Sunday, December 28, and rose by about 8% to about $82 per ounce for the first time.

Silver prices have so far risen by more than 185% since the beginning of the year, heading towards achieving their best annual performance since 1979.

For a brief period, silver surpassed Nvidia, becoming the second largest global asset, after gold, after its value reached $4.65 trillion, compared to the $4.638 trillion market value of the chip maker. Before silver fell back to third place.

Silver prices rose as fears of a debt crisis and geopolitical tensions push precious metals to new highs, as well as increasing industrial demand.

This rise comes at a time of increasing demand for the metal for use in solar panels, electric vehicles and artificial intelligence devices.

However, this rise is also a warning indicator that the world is suffering from a shortage of one of the most important industrial minerals.

Chinese restrictions on exports increase global shortages

In a related context, China, which controls between 60% and 70% of global silver production, is preparing to impose new restrictions on exports as of January 1, 2026.

Under the new rules, companies must obtain government licenses to export silver, and eligibility is limited to state-certified companies that produce at least 80 tons annually and have credit lines worth $30 million.

As China tightens exports and global inventories fall, shortages may spread to electric vehicle, solar and electronics manufacturing, which could push up costs and slow production growth.

According to Statista, the global supply of silver is about one billion ounces. Analysts estimate that a supply shortfall of between 115 and 120 million ounces this year is straining global inventories, with mine production unable to meet consumption for the fifth year in a row.