[SMM Analysis] Guangdong Electric Copper inventory is nearly halved, how to deduce in the future

Published: Apr 15, 2020 14:34

SMM4, March 15: as of April 15, according to the latest statistics of our SMM, the electrolytic copper inventory in Guangdong has dropped sharply to 66575 tons, down 52778 tons from the peak of 119300 tons during the year, and more than 6, 000 tons lower than the 72600 tons in the same period last year. (see figure below for details of the trend)

Why is there such a roller coaster? We analyze the following reasons:

Supply side:

Demand side:

2. The substitution effect of electrolytic copper rod is obvious. It is understood that since the beginning of this year, waste copper rod enterprises have reduced or even stopped production one after another because of raw material problems. Even if there is output, the processing fee of copper rod has been maintained at a high level. Recently, the processing fee of waste copper rod is higher than that of electrolytic copper rod. (April 13 8mm scrap copper rod processing fee reported 600 yuan / ton, domestic 8mm electrolytic copper rod processing fee reported 570 yuan / ton, detailed data see the following chart), resulting in unsalable products. This is also one of the important reasons for the hot sales of electrolytic copper rods in the near future. According to our latest research, the operating rate of scrap copper rod enterprises in Guangdong is only about 10%, and the amount of electrolytic copper rod replacing waste copper rod has increased by about 25000 tons per month. If we add in the amount of waste copper rod that is difficult to go south in Jiangxi, we expect it to reach 35000 tons per month.

Overall, the main reason for the recent rapid decline in electrolytic copper stocks in Guangdong is a reduction in supply and a sharp increase in demand.

Looking to the future: we believe that Guangdong electrolytic copper inventory will continue to decline, because: the supply will not increase significantly in a short period of time; demand will remain high, electrolytic copper rod enterprises will continue to benefit from the large-scale reduction of production and shutdown of scrap copper rod enterprises, cable enterprises will have a good inventory in the near future, whether from the power grid, municipal or dealer orders have increased significantly than before, and there is still room to rise in the future. It is worrying that many copper pipe enterprises said that with the export of air conditioning enterprises blocked domestic sales, it is expected that from the end of the month and the beginning of the month, the order volume will begin to decline, and some air conditioning enterprises even expect the monthly order volume to decline about the month.

"Click to participate in the second China (Yingtan) Copper Industry Summit and the 15th China International Copper Industry chain Summit."

"these enterprises have signed up! (with part of the list of participants)

To sign up for the summit or apply to enter the SMM industry exchange group, please scan the code:

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM‘s internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or to learn more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn
For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn
Related News
"Premier Li Qiang Leads State Council Meeting on Enhancing Effective Investment, Boosting Economic Growth"
Feb 6, 2026 23:56
"Premier Li Qiang Leads State Council Meeting on Enhancing Effective Investment, Boosting Economic Growth"
Read More
"Premier Li Qiang Leads State Council Meeting on Enhancing Effective Investment, Boosting Economic Growth"
"Premier Li Qiang Leads State Council Meeting on Enhancing Effective Investment, Boosting Economic Growth"
Premier Li Qiang presided over an executive meeting of the State Council to study policy measures for promoting effective investment. The meeting noted that promoting effective investment plays an important role in stabilizing economic growth and strengthening momentum for development. It is necessary to innovate and improve policy measures, and intensify efforts to enhance the efficiency of utilizing funds such as central budget investments, ultra-long-term special treasury bonds, local government special bonds, and new-type policy-based financial instruments. In conjunction with formulating and implementing the 15th Five-Year Plan
Feb 6, 2026 23:56
"Guided by Xi Jinping Thought, Implement 20th CPC Congress Spirit, Apply New Development Philosophy...
Feb 6, 2026 23:54
"Guided by Xi Jinping Thought, Implement 20th CPC Congress Spirit, Apply New Development Philosophy...
Read More
"Guided by Xi Jinping Thought, Implement 20th CPC Congress Spirit, Apply New Development Philosophy...
"Guided by Xi Jinping Thought, Implement 20th CPC Congress Spirit, Apply New Development Philosophy...
Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, we will thoroughly implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the plenary sessions of the Party’s 20th Central Committee, fully and faithfully apply the new development philosophy, strengthen top-level design, build computing power interconnection nodes oriented toward national hub periods, major strategic regions, and key industries, establish a system of computing power interconnection nodes, improve the efficiency and service level of public computing power resources, and promote high-quality development of computing power.
Feb 6, 2026 23:54
Indirect Iran-US Nuclear Talks in Muscat Show Progress, Omani FM Mediates Tense but Efficient Discussions
Feb 6, 2026 23:47
Indirect Iran-US Nuclear Talks in Muscat Show Progress, Omani FM Mediates Tense but Efficient Discussions
Read More
Indirect Iran-US Nuclear Talks in Muscat Show Progress, Omani FM Mediates Tense but Efficient Discussions
Indirect Iran-US Nuclear Talks in Muscat Show Progress, Omani FM Mediates Tense but Efficient Discussions
After intensive indirect consultations, the new round of nuclear talks between Iran and the US in Muscat, the capital of Oman, has achieved phased progress. It is reported that during this round of talks, the Iranian and US delegations did not meet directly. Instead, Omani Foreign Minister Badr acted as an intermediary, conveying a series of core proposals, strategic concerns, and policy positions to the other side. The atmosphere at the talks was tense yet efficient. According to preliminary on-site assessments, although both sides continue to negotiate over specific terms, they have reached a consensus on the key objective of "continuing dialogue."
Feb 6, 2026 23:47
[SMM Analysis] Guangdong Electric Copper inventory is nearly halved, how to deduce in the future - Shanghai Metals Market (SMM)