UNITED KINGDOM May 30 2017 6:01 PM
LONDON (Scrap Register): Global apparent refined copper usage is estimated to have declined by around 3% in the first two months of this year, according to the latest data released by the International Copper Study Group (ICSG).
ICSG preliminary data indicates that although world ex-China usage might have grown by around 2.5%, growth was more than offset by a 9.5% decline in Chinese apparent demand.
Chinese apparent demand (excluding changes in unreported stocks) declined by 9.5% because although refined copper production increase by 4%, net imports of refined copper declined by 29%.
Some countries in Asia and in Europe saw growth. On a regional basis, usage is estimated to have increased by 1.5% in Europe while declining by 1% in the Americas and 5% in Asia (when excluding China, Asia usage increased by 6%).
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