WGC Report: Central Bank Gold Purchases Hit 61 Tonnes in September

Gold  |  2026-11-05 06:34:22   |   By

Central banks reported 228 tonnes of net gold purchases during January-September 2026, down 7% from the corresponding period in 2025.

Summary

  • Central Bank Gold Purchases Hit 2026 Monthly High

    Global central banks recorded net gold purchases of 61 tonnes in September 2026, marking the highest monthly accumulation this year. Poland and China led the buying activity, contributing 25 tonnes and 23 tonnes, respectively.

  • Poland and China Dominate Year-to-Date Gold Buying

    Central banks recorded net purchases of 228 tonnes during January-September 2026, down 7% year-on-year. Poland led cumulative purchases with 123 tonnes, followed by China with 103 tonnes. Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, the Czech Republic, Singapore and Chile also reported double-digit purchases.

  • Turkey, Russia and Azerbaijan Lead Gold Sales

    Turkey recorded the largest year-to-date net sales at 82 tonnes, followed by Russia at 62 tonnes and Azerbaijan's State Oil Fund at 22 tonnes. Russia also emerged as the biggest seller in September, reducing its gold reserves by 6 tonnes.

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Global central banks accelerated gold accumulation in September 2026, said the latest figures from the World Gold Council (WGC). The reported net purchases reached 61 tonnes, the highest monthly total recorded this year.

Poland and China remained the dominant buyers, accounting for most of September's reported accumulation.

The National Bank of Poland topped the list with purchases of 25 tonnes, followed by the People's Bank of China at 23 tonnes. China's buying streak extended to 23 consecutive months. Uzbekistan added 7 tonnes, Kazakhstan purchased 5 tonnes, while Jordan, the Czech Republic and Bolivia recorded purchases of 4, 2 and 1 tonne, respectively. Russia was the largest seller, disposing of 6 tonnes.

Central banks reported 228 tonnes of net gold purchases during January-September 2026, down 7% from the corresponding period in 2025.

Poland's cumulative purchases reached 123 tonnes through September, while China's holdings increased by 103 tonnes, making them the only central banks to exceed 100 tonnes of buying in 2026. Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, the Czech Republic, Singapore and Chile also reported double-digit purchases. Several emerging market countries reported single-digit gold purchases during Jan-Sep ’26, WGC data said.

Meanwhile, Turkey recorded year-to-date net sales of 82 tonnes, while Russia sold 62 tonnes after nine consecutive months of reductions. Azerbaijan's State Oil Fund reported 22 tonnes of net sales year-to-date.

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