Recovery of Terminal Demand may Balance the Supply and Demand of Copper Scrap in March

SMM Morning Meeting Summary: Overnight, LME copper opened at and dipped below $13,693.5/mt, moved sideways at the beginning of the session, then the copper price center fluctuated upward and probed up to $13,969/mt near the end of the session, before fluctuating downward to finally close at $13,920/mt, up 2.84%, with trading volume at 26,800 lots and open interest at 272,000 lots, an increase of 1,201 lots from the previous trading day, indicating bulls adding positions. Overnight, the most-traded SHFE copper 2606 contract opened at 105,500 yuan/mt, dipped to 105,390 yuan/mt at the beginning of the session, then the copper price center gradually shifted upward and touched a high of 107,350 yuan/mt near the end of the session, before fluctuating downward to finally close at 106,770 yuan/mt, up 2.35%, with trading volume at 75,900 lots and open interest at 209,000 lots, an increase of 4,829 lots from the previous trading day, indicating bulls adding positions.

India and Peru are expected to resume negotiations on a proposed free trade agreement (FTA) in June 2026, according to Peru’s ambassador to India, with both sides also discussing a critical minerals chapter that includes copper supply cooperation. Hindalco Industries is reportedly in talks to source copper from Peru. Peru is the world’s third-largest copper producer, with output reaching around 2.7 million mt in 2024. As India’s electrification and energy transition demand continue to rise, market attention remains focused on Indian companies securing overseas copper resources and long-term supply chains.