Production problems mean demand for platinum will exceed supply this year, which could push prices to a record $1,575 a troy ounce in the next six months, according to an influential survey published on Tuesday.

A fall in supply from the main producing regions – South Africa, Russia and North America – has contributed to prices rising almost 33 per cent this year to a recent record of $1,484 a troy ounce, according to Johnson Matthey’s interim 2007 platinum review published on Tuesday.