August brass billet imports rebound MoM

[SMM Flash] August brass billet import value was $25.2407 million, up 10.11% MoM and up 65.19% YoY. Cumulative import value from January to August 2026 was $18.3867 million, up 35.51% YoY. Monthly imports rebounded MoM, while import value surged YoY, reflecting a continued rise in the value of imported goods.

[SMM Flash] From the perspective of import source structure, South Korea remains China's largest source of brass billet imports. In August, brass billet imports from South Korea totaled 947.28 mt, up 6.07% MoM but down 2.66% YoY, accounting for 36.66% of total imports for the month. Japan rose to the second-largest source, with August imports of 450.04 mt, up 37.71% MoM and up 75.48% YoY, representing a 17.42% share. South Korea, Japan, and Thailand remain the three core suppliers, with the East Asian supply landscape staying stable.

[SMM Flash] Southeast Asia remains the largest supply region for China's copper scrap, with stable shipments from Thailand. Imports from many European countries pulled back MoM, but Spain maintained high YoY growth, and Europe continued to contribute as a source of incremental supply. Other countries showed marked divergence, with some niche suppliers swinging wildly—Lithuania and Oman posted notable YoY increases, while Algeria and Kenya saw substantial YoY growth, though their low base levels limited the overall impact on total imports.