Cu Scrap Export Price Maintains Weak, Tokyo

Market price of exporting copper scrap stays flat around Tokyo. Demand from Chinese importers maintains low and the market price is in weak tone. Scrap dealers purchase non-shredded brass based mix scrap, with relatively less iron and stainless steel, at 285-295 yen per kilogram and thin electric wire scrap with insulator (containing copper at 40-42%) at 180-190 yen per kg.

Exporting price for China dropped down in early October. Some of Japanese exporters temporarily stopped scrap procurement. Scrap supply and demand are balanced due to low scrap generation in the market. Many Japanese exporters show aggressive stances to secure copper scrap. However, the market price stays low.

Exporters around Tokyo pay 300-310 yen per kg for non-shredded brass based mix scrap, 190-200 yen per kg for thin electric wire scrap with insulator and 40-45 yen per kg for other low-grade mix scrap. Demand from Chinese importers seems especially weak for thin electric wire scrap, which contains copper at below 44-45%.

Japanese exporter source, who visited Hangzhou of China in November, points out Chinese importers and scrap dealers still keep surplus inventory at quays and their sites. The demand recovery would take time.