Overseas Infrastructure Demand Boosts June Copper Wire Rod Exports, Up Both YoY and MoM [SMM Analysis]

In June, total exports of copper wire rod (HS codes 74081100 and 74081900) increased both YoY and MoM. The specific data are as follows:

According to customs statistics, China's total exports of copper wire rod were 32,600 mt, up 7.44% MoM and up 96.1% YoY. Exports of copper cathode wire rod with a cross-section size above 6 mm totaled 23,000 mt, up 17.47% MoM and up 134.24% YoY. Monthly exports of other copper cathode wire rod stood at 9,600 mt, down 10.84% MoM but up 41.01% YoY.

In June 2026, exports of copper wire rod (HS codes 74081100 and 74081900) rebounded significantly, mainly driven by the continued release of demand from overseas power infrastructure construction and new energy projects, coupled with the accelerated pace of scheduled production and delivery by domestic enterprises and the concentrated execution of long-term contracts, which jointly boosted exports in the month. In terms of trade mode, China's copper wire rod exports in June 2026 remained dominated by processing trade. Specifically, processing trade with imported materials accounted for 54.50% and processing trade with supplied materials for 39.83%, together totaling 94.33%; in addition, Entrepot Trade by Customs Special Control Area exports represented 2.96% and Ordinary Trade 2.57%.

By country, in June 2026, China's top five copper wire rod export markets were Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam, together accounting for over 70% of total exports. Among them, Saudi Arabia, affected by PV, power grid, and other infrastructure projects entering a concentrated construction and stockpiling phase, saw its local copper rod capacity struggle to meet demand. Compounded by the concentrated execution of long-term contracts, import demand was significantly released, driving China's copper rod exports to Saudi Arabia up 87.03% MoM and making it the largest export market. In contrast, affected by factors such as demand being overdrawn by earlier concentrated procurement, China's copper rod exports to Thailand fell 48.25% MoM in June, with its ranking pulling back to fourth place.

In summary, China's copper rod exports performed well in June 2026, with overseas demand maintaining relatively high momentum and overall demand remaining stable. Meanwhile, domestic processing enterprises actively took on export orders, and downstream enterprises accelerated their long-term contract procurement, all of which jointly drove a MoM increase in copper rod exports. Since the start of July, as foreign trade gradually entered the off-season and imported copper costs continued to rise, enterprises raised their processing fee quotes for overseas orders, and downstream purchase willingness weakened. Copper wire rod exports are expected to pull back slightly in July.