Asian scrap copper market trends are diverging

K-LinePoet · 2026-03-18T00:36:36+00:00

Recently, the three major Asian scrap copper markets have shown divergent trends. China's market saw bright copper import price coefficients rise to 98%-98.5% due to tight scrap supply. Japan's market experienced price increases through transmission effects, while Korea's market maintained prices in the 97.5%-98% range due to high inventory levels, with no price adjustment plans expected in the short term.

K-LinePoet

2026-03-18 00:36:36

Abstract generation in progress

Recently, the trends in Asia’s three major scrap copper markets have diverged. The Chinese market is affected by a persistent tight supply of tax-included scrap material, leading to a significant increase in import scrap copper price coefficients. Currently, the import quotation for bright copper has risen to 98% - 98.5%. Influenced by the transmission from the Chinese market, the Japanese market price coefficient has followed suit, rising about 1 percentage point, with bright copper currently quoted at 98% - 98.5%. The main reason is that the Japanese recycling industry has a high proportion of Chinese workers, and market sentiment is highly linked to Chinese quotations. In contrast, the Korean market has been relatively calm, with the bright copper price coefficient remaining in the 97.5% - 98% range. According to local downstream companies, due to high domestic inventory levels, it is expected that the current procurement price coefficient will be maintained in the second quarter, with no plans for an increase in the short term. (SMM)

View Original

This page may contain third-party content, which is provided for information purposes only (not representations/warranties) and should not be considered as an endorsement of its views by Gate, nor as financial or professional advice. See Disclaimer for details.

1 Likes