Lunar New Year Slowdown Weighs on Asian Copper Scrap Demand; Korea Discounts Fall Sharply While Japan Holds Firmer

Published: Feb 6, 2026 10:51

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China will enter Lunar New Year holidays next week, with logistics and scrap traders suspending operations, ending pre-holiday restocking. As the world’s largest copper scrap consumer steps back, demand across Asia has weakened. South Korea has seen clearer pressure, with No.2 scrap discounts falling from around 90% to 88%–89%. Japan, without a holiday shutdown, shows only a mild adjustment of about 0.5% in discounts.

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