China’s refined copper imports fall in March 2013

China’s net imports of refined copper fell to the year’s lowest in March while imports of concentrates were up, customs data showed on Monday April 22.

China’s net imports of refined copper fell to the year’s lowest in March while imports of concentrates were up, customs data showed on Monday April 22.

Inbound shipments of refined copper were at 218,823 tonnes last month, down 36.7% from a year ago.
Refined copper imports were down 1.8% from levels seen in February.

Exports of refined copper stood at 60,642 tonnes in March, more than double the levels seen a year ago, data showed.
Exports were up 57.2% from February levels.

Imports of copper concentrates were at 777,838 tonnes last month, up 41.2% year-on-year, the data showed.

Copper concentrate imports were up 14.2% month-on-month.

China, the world’s largest copper consumer, is experiencing what some analysts have called “a rotation in the composition” of copper imports.

editorial@metalbulletinasia.com

What to read next
Following an initial consultation with the market, Fastmarkets is proposing to:  The new specifications would be as follows, with amendments in italics: MB-CU-0002 Copper grade 1 cathode premium, ddp Midwest US, US cents/lb Quality: Grade A 99.9935% min copper cathode conforming to LME specifications BS EN 1978:2022 – Cu-CATH-1 or Grade 1 Electrolytic Copper Cathode ATSM B1115-10 Quantity: Min […]
Fastmarkets’ 2025 outlook for key raw materials and ingredients used in the production and distribution of fast-moving consumer goods.
Vale Base Metals plans to boost annual copper production to 700,000 tonnes by 2035, aiming to become a top-five global producer of nickel and copper. CEO Shaun Usmar highlights a focus on productivity, cost optimization and sustainable growth. With strong assets in Canada and Brazil, Vale is well-positioned to meet rising global demand.
Fastmarkets has corrected its fob Australia alumina index, which was published incorrectly on Monday June 2 and Tuesday June 3 due to a back-end calculation error. Fastmarkets has also corrected all the related inferred indices. On June 2 the following prices were published incorrectly: Fastmarkets’ MB-ALU-0002 Alumina index, fob Australia, was published in error as $375.59 per […]
Mexico’s strategic role in automotive nearshoring is fueling demand for recycled aluminium, with investment in scrap-intensive sectors boosting its non-ferrous secondary markets. Despite tariff uncertainties, USMCA compliance and EV production growth continue to attract global manufacturers.
Goldcorp founder Rob McEwen is back in the spotlight with a bold bet on copper in Argentina. The $2.5 billion Los Azules project, set to become Argentina’s first major copper mine in over 30 years, is reshaping the country’s mining industry while raising sustainability standards. Positioned as a key player in addressing a global copper shortage, the project highlights innovation, persistence and a commitment to meeting the growing demand from global electrification.