MUMBAI, Aug 17 Reuters India39;s silver imports are set to triple in 2022 from a year ago to record highs after a dip in prices to 2year lows spurred investors to bet that the metal was primed for a rebound and could outperform gold in the coming years.

Higher demand in India, the world39;s biggest silver consumer, could support global prices .

Investment demand has been boosting imports, said Chirag Thakkar, CEO of Amrapali Group Gujarat, a leading silver importer. Investors are anticipating poor man39;s gold will beat gold in coming years.

India39;s silver imports in 2022 could jump to a record 8,200 tonnes, Thakkar said.

In the first seven months of 2022, silver imports surged to 5,100 tonnes from just 110 tonnes during the same period a year ago, according to provisional data from Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

In 2020 and 2021 Indian investors and industry sold off silver stocks after strong imports in 2018 and 2019, Thakkar said.

Destocking depleted available stocks in the country. At current prices, traders are investing. Since silver is not available in the country, imports are rising, he said.

India silver imports in 2020 and 2021 were 2,218 tonnes and 2,773 tonnes respectively, down from 5,969 tonnes in 2019.

Local silver futures were trading around 57,900 rupees per kilogram on Wednesday afternoon after hitting a record high of 77,949 rupees in 2020.

Investors like Umesh Patel, who bought two bars of silver this month, think prices have…