National Bureau of Statistics: Maintenance had relatively small impact, China's copper production increased slightly MoM in April

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) released a report indicating that China's copper cathode (electrolytic copper) production in April 2025 was 1.254 million mt, up 9% YoY. Despite maintenance plans at some smelters in April, the commissioning of a new plant in east China, production increases at a plant in southwest China, sufficient reserves of copper scrap and anode plates at smelters, sulphuric acid prices remaining at high levels to offset losses, and an increase in copper concentrate inventory at ports supporting production, copper production saw a slight MoM increase in April. Entering May, according to SMM statistics, five smelters have maintenance plans, but smelters that underwent maintenance in April have resumed normal production, with the volume of resumed production even exceeding the impact from maintenance. In addition, due to the still abundant copper concentrate inventory at ports, no smelters have significantly cut production due to ore shortages.