NBS: China refined copper output in March fell to 10-month low as COVID-19 disrupted production

SHANGHAI, Apr 21 (SMM) – China’s production of copper cathode in March dropped to the lowest level since May 2019, losing 2.5% from the same period last year to 771,000 mt, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) released on Monday.

Disrupted production due to the coronavirus outbreak accounted for the reduced output. 

Daily production of copper cathode in China averaged 24,870 mt in March, down from the daily average 25,450 mt in January-February. 

Domestic output of refined copper stood at 1.53 million mt in January-February, 2.8% higher year on year. The NBS did not release monthly data for January and February.

Overall copper cathode production in the first quarter amounted to 2.29 million mt, up 0.4% from the same period a year ago. 

NBS data also indicated that China’s production of zinc rose 4.7% on the year to 489,000 mt in March, with the output of lead climbing 2.2% to 467,000 mt. The production of zinc and lead for March was also the lowest monthly level since May 2019. 

Separately, China produced 5.88 million mt of alumina in March, 3.6% lower year on year.