According to the World Gold Council, central banks worldwide increased net gold purchases for a third straight month in June, lifting reserve additions to 51 tons from 41 tons a month earlier. The National Bank of Poland led the buying spree with 19 tons, followed by the People's Bank of China with 15 tons, marking its 20th consecutive month of purchases. Other active buyers included the central banks of Uzbekistan (9 tons), Kazakhstan (7 tons), Jordan, Georgia, and Ghana.
First-half net purchases by global regulators totaled 102 tons. Poland topped the accumulation list with 82 tons year-to-date, followed by Uzbekistan (41 tons), China (40 tons), and Kazakhstan (27 tons).
Russia and Turkey were the largest sellers in June, offloading 9 tons and 2 tons, respectively. Over the whole half-year, Russia reduced its gold holdings by 44 tons, while Turkey emerged as the world's biggest seller, unloading 83 tons, mostly in the first quarter. The Turkish central bank's large-scale gold operations, alongside roughly $55 billion in currency interventions, aimed to bolster foreign-exchange liquidity and support the lira. Governor Fatih Karahan described these moves as a natural tool to shield the economy from external shocks.
