China’s gold consumption fell by almost half in the first quarter as coronavirus containment measures and rising prices hit demand in the world’s biggest market, the China Gold Association said on Tuesday.
Consumption totalled 148.63 tonnes in January-March, down 48.2% from a year earlier, the association said in statement on its website, with consumption of jewellery down 51.1% to 92.04 tonnes and that of gold bars and coins down 47%.