Copper Plate/Sheet and Strip Exports Slightly Increased in January-February 2025, Expected to Grow MoM in March

According to data from the General Administration of Customs, China's exports of copper plate/sheet and strip in January 2025 were 10,377 mt, up 28.41% MoM, down 3.8% YoY. In February 2025, exports were 7,504 mt, down 27.68% MoM, up 9.06% YoY. The cumulative exports from January to February 2025 totaled 17,881 mt, up 1.21% YoY.

Specifically, from January to February 2025, China's copper plates and strips were exported to 107 countries and regions. In terms of the quantity ranking of copper plates and strips exported to various countries, Vietnam, South Korea, and Taiwan, China rank in the top three. Vietnam's manufacturing PMI in February was 49.2, an increase from 48.9 in January. The improving performance of the manufacturing industry provides support for the demand for copper plates and strips.

Unit: kg

From the analysis of export provinces, Zhejiang province had the highest exports, accounting for over 50%, followed by Jiangsu province and Anhui province. The exports of copper plate/sheet and strip from these three provinces from January to February were 9,253 mt, 2,262 mt, and 2,174 mt, respectively.

Unit: kg

From the trade mode perspective, Processing with Imported Materials was the primary trade mode, accounting for 64.5% with a trade volume of 11,527 mt, up 280% YoY. The transaction volume of Processing Trade with Supplied Materials also showed significant growth YoY, with a trade volume of 2,798 mt, accounting for approximately 15.7%, up 242% YoY. Ordinary Trade had a volume of 2,148 mt, accounting for 12%, down 83% YoY.

Unit: mt

SMM expects a rebound in copper plate/sheet and strip exports in March MoM. According to SMM's understanding from a major domestic enterprise, its export orders in March returned to normal levels, showing no significant growth compared to the same period in previous years. Therefore, SMM expects China's copper plate/sheet and strip exports to remain at a high level overall in March.