China Net Imports of Copper Plate/Sheet and Strips Fell 7% Jan-Sep

SHANGHAI, Nov 22 (SMM) – China’s imports of copper plate/sheet and strip from January to September were 96,400 mt, an increase of 17% over the same period last year, according to customs statistics. Exports were 53,900 mt, an increase of 36%. The cumulative net imports were 42,500 mt, a decrease of 7%. The decline in net imports shows that the substitution of imported copper plate/sheet and strip by the domestic products has accelerated. But China still relies on the imported cargoes.

From 2019 to 2021, the net import value of China’s brass strip and copper strip has decreased, mainly due to the growth of exports, indicating that the substitution of imports is accelerating. The imports of brass include H65 and H62 brass strips, and the total imports of the two account for around 90%. Almost all the imported brass products can be produced in China. However, there is still demand for some imports due to the difference in the domestic product quality as well as the high requirements for the stability of the materials from some high-quality products.

The drop in the net import value of copper sheet and strip is much greater than that of brass sheet and strip, with the fastest substitution by the domestic products.

The overall net imports of bronze plate/sheet and strip are on the decline, while the net imports of cupronickel plate/sheet and strip are stable.

Imports and exports of high-copper alloy plate/sheet and strip changed little.

SMM believes that the current domestic demand for copper plate/sheet and strip is stable and the overall growth is small.