For the Quarter Ending June 2026
Brass Rod Prices in APAC
- In South Korea, the Brass Rod Price Index rose by 4.87% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting stronger export demand and feedstock cost-push.
- The average Brass Rod price for the quarter was approximately USD 9088/MT based on FOB Busan weekly data.
- Brass Rod Spot Price movements tracked LME copper volatility, transmitting input-cost shocks to Korean mill offers promptly.
- Brass Rod Price Forecast signals modest near-term firmness supported by export momentum and disciplined mill output.
- Brass Rod Production Cost Trend reflects higher copper premiums and stable power tariffs preserving conversion-margin pressure.
- Brass Rod Demand Outlook remains export-led, with plumbing and electronics restocking offsetting weaker domestic construction demand.
- Inventory levels near long-run averages supported the Brass Rod Price Index despite occasional speculative geopolitical premiums.
- High mill utilisation and Poongsan billet reallocation tightened merchant availability, reinforcing sellers' discipline and limiting spot selling.
- Freight and FOB dynamics allowed exporters to capture margins, keeping Brass Rod Price Index supported for June shipments.
Why did the price of Brass Rod change in June 2026 in APAC?
- Export demand surge absorbed Korean allocations, tightening prompt availability and underpinning upward price pressure in June.
- Elevated LME copper premiums raised melt costs, translating into stronger producer offers and limited discounting pressure.
- Geopolitical risk premium eased after ceasefire, reducing insurance-related costs and moderating speculative upward momentum influence.
China
- In China, the Brass Rod Price Index rose by 2.79% quarter-over-quarter, firmer feedstock costs, restocking.
- Brass Rod Spot Price tightened as port inventories thinned and mills raised offers after inspections.
India
- In India, the Brass Rod Price Index rose by 12.45% quarter-over-quarter, driven by feedstock and freight surcharges.
- Rising LME copper drove the Brass Rod Spot Price higher, influencing domestic mill offers and margins.
Brass Rod Prices in North America
- The Brass Rod Spot Price firmed over the quarter, supported by a 14.76% quarterly gain compared to Q4 2025, driven by robust demand and tight feedstock markets.
- Brass Rod Production Cost Trend rose significantly as refined copper and zinc benchmarks remained firm, while sustained energy and logistics expenses added further upward pressure on fabrication costs.
- Brass Rod Demand Outlook remains constructive, supported by consistent offtake from automotive component manufacturers, industrial machinery producers, and the plumbing/electrical sectors.
- The Brass Rod Price Index also reflected pre-emptive buying activity amid policy uncertainty, with potential trade tariffs prompting strategic inventory building.
- Major producers, including Wieland Chase (which is expanding its Ohio facility), maintained disciplined output strategies to protect margins, balancing steady shipments with elevated input costs.
Why did the price of Brass Rod change in June 2026 in North America?
- Despite the strong quarterly gains, prices experienced a minor month-on-month reversal in June 2026, falling by approximately 0.61%.
- This decline was largely attributed to a slight softening in brass/bronze scrap prices on the index (down by $0.01–$0.04 per pound in early June), which eased some immediate cost pressures on secondary producers.
- Additionally, buyer caution emerged after the sharp price run-up in previous months, leading to shorter procurement cycles rather than aggressive stockpiling, which tempered the Brass Rod Spot Price at the quarter's end.
Brass Rod Prices in Europe
- In France, the Brass Rod Price Index rose by 3.03% quarter-over-quarter, driven by alloy surcharge.
- The average Brass Rod price for the quarter was approximately USD 10210.67/MT, per export assessments.
- Brass Rod Spot Price firmed as export allocations tightened and mills reduced available spot tonnage.
- Brass Rod Price Forecast remains firm given persistent LME copper support and constrained prompt supply.
- Brass Rod Production Cost Trend reflects upward pressure from rising copper, freight and insurance premiums.
- Brass Rod Demand Outlook constructive as Spanish and German call-offs accelerated, supporting mill order books.
- Brass Rod Price Index stability owes to mill operations and balanced scrap inflows maintaining supply.
- Producers constrained finished-goods inventories under two weeks, supporting prompt premiums and prioritised export contractual shipments.
Why did the price of Brass Rod change in June 2026 in Europe?
- Elevated LME copper alloy surcharges raised production costs, prompting mills to pass higher FOB quotations.
- Strong export enquiries from Spain and Germany tightened prompt availability, reducing spot tonnage, accelerating shipments.
- Rising freight insurance premiums and Red Sea transit risk elevated logistics costs, extending delivery times.
Italy
- In Italy, the Brass Rod Price Index rose by 3.08% quarter-over-quarter, driven by higher feedstock costs.
- Brass Rod Spot Price tightened as mills front-loaded shipments before port stoppage, reducing distributor inventories.
For the Quarter Ending March 2026
Brass Rod Prices in North America
- In the United States, the Brass Rod Price Index increased during Q1 2026, supported by resilient industrial consumption and limited scrap availability.
- The Brass Rod Spot Price tightened in March as mills operated at reduced utilization rates following unplanned maintenance outages.
- Brass Rod Production Cost Trend rose moderately due to higher copper cathode and zinc input costs, along with elevated energy tariffs.
- Brass Rod Price Forecast suggests sideways movement through Q2 2026, subject to import competition from Mexican and Canadian suppliers.
- Brass Rod Demand Outlook remains stable, driven by plumbing fitting production and automotive component manufacturing in the Midwest.
- Domestic mill lead times extended to several weeks, reinforcing upward pressure on the Brass Rod Price Index in early March.
- Secondary scrap availability tightened after severe winter weather disrupted collection and logistics across key recycling hubs.
- Buyer resistance emerged toward month-end as imported rods offered competitive alternatives, capping further index gains.
Why did the price of Brass Rod change in March 2026 in North America?
- The Brass Rod Price Index increased in March 2026 due to reduced domestic mill output following maintenance shutdowns, combined with higher Brass Rod Production Cost Trend from elevated copper cathode prices. However, the pace of increase slowed as import arrivals pressured the Brass Rod Spot Price, leading to a mixed monthly trend.
Brass Rod Prices in APAC
- In South Korea, the Brass Rod Price Index rose by 13.56% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting strong export orders and tight spot availability.
- The average Brass Rod price for the quarter was approximately USD 8666.00/MT, supported by export demand.
- Noted Brass Rod Spot Price tightening as Brass Rod Production Cost Trend rose with elevated tariffs.
- Brass Rod Price Forecast suggests limited upside; Brass Rod Price Index remains sensitive to export shifts.
- Brass Rod Demand Outlook stays constructive, supported by automotive harness restocking and electronics procurement across markets.
- Export inventories at Busan remained lean after heavy December loadings, constraining offers and supporting FOB premiums.
- Mills operated near nameplate capacity with uninterrupted casting, limiting spot availability and preserving FOB offer levels.
- Middle East energy and insurance shocks raised feedstock and freight costs, moderating margins without price transmission.
Why did the price of Brass Rod change in March 2026 in APAC?
- Lean export inventories and delayed copper cathode shipments tightened availability, sustaining mill premiums during March.
- Higher LNG-linked electricity tariffs raised conversion costs, compressing margins and thereby restricting mills' price flexibility.
- Cooling overseas demand reduced spot inquiries and bookings, forcing mills to trim offers, preserve share.
Brass Rod Prices in Europe
- In France, the Brass Rod Price Index rose by 14.80% quarter-over-quarter, driven by tight surplus and export demand.
- The average Brass Rod price for the quarter was USD 9910.67/MT, reflecting export-driven tightness and inventory rebuilding.
- Brass Rod Spot Price eased in March as domestic demand softened and imports pressured offers.
- Brass Rod Price Forecast signals modest recovery in April as restocking occurs, tempered by summer slowdown expectations.
- Brass Rod Production Cost Trend remained stable, supported by steady nuclear power and regular scrap inflows lowering volatility.
- Brass Rod Demand Outlook shows export-led strength balanced by weakening domestic offtake and substitution towards Italian suppliers.
- Brass Rod Price Index movement reflected higher alloy surcharges but tracked demand-driven downward pressure in March.
- Mill inventories increased to weeks' coverage in March, easing urgency and enabling competitive export offers pressuring spot bids.
Why did the price of Brass Rod change in March 2026 in Europe?
- Export demand softened as buyers shifted to Italian and German supply, reducing purchasing urgency for French-origin rods.
- Finished-goods inventories rose to several weeks, relieving seller leverage and prompting downward adjustments in spot quotations.
- Red Sea shipping delays increased feedstock insurance and freight premiums, but demand weakness outweighed these cost pressures.
For the Quarter Ending December 2025
Brass Rod Price in North America
- •The regional Price Index trended upward through the quarter, supported by steady offtake from the automotive and industrial machinery sectors.
- •The average quarterly Brass Rod Spot Price settled near USD 7,850/MT, as mills worked to manage elevated input costs.
- •The Brass Rod Production Cost Trend remained a key concern, with persistent pressures from alloying metal premiums and energy costs.
- •The Brass Rod Price Forecast for Q1 2026 is cautiously optimistic, anticipating stable demand but continued sensitivity to raw material volatility.
- •The Brass Rod Demand Outlook is stable, with consistent inquiry from key consuming industries, though inventory replenishment cycles were measured.
Why did the price of Brass Rod change in December 2025 in North America?
- •The Price Index increased in December due to a combination of year-end inventory restocking by distributors and a slight tightening in domestic scrap supply, which supported higher mill pricing power and allowed for partial pass-through of persistent production costs.
Brass Rod Price in APAC
- In South Korea, the Brass Rod Price Index rose by 7.79% quarter-over-quarter, from feedstock tightness.
- The average Brass Rod price for the quarter was approximately USD 7631.33/MT, reflecting export demand.
- Brass Rod Spot Price rose; mills passed through higher alloy costs, increasing production cost pressures.
- Brass Rod Price Forecast indicates volatility, influenced by feedstock availability and potential maintenance shutdown schedules.
- Brass Rod Demand Outlook remains firm internationally, driven by strong orders from China and Vietnam.
- Tight merchant inventories pushed the Brass Rod Price Index higher, enabling producers to sustain premiums.
- Domestic mills maintained high operating rates, keeping supply orderly despite Brass Rod Production Cost Trend.
- Exporters leveraged robust overseas demand to lift premiums, while stable power tariffs preserved conversion margins.
Why did the price of Brass Rod change in December 2025 in APAC?
- Higher LME copper and tighter zinc raised alloy costs, prompting producers to lift export quotations.
- Finished-goods inventories thinned after sustained exports, enabling sellers to exercise price discipline and increase premiums.
- Robust overseas ordering ahead of Lunar New Year and stable power tariffs enabled cost pass-through.
Brass Rod Price in Europe
- In France, the Brass Rod Price Index rose by 12.62% quarter-over-quarter, driven by copper tightness.
- The average Brass Rod price for the quarter was approximately USD 8632.67/MT, per Marseille assessments.
- Brass Rod Spot Price tightened as mills prioritised contracts, reducing available spot volumes in Marseille.
- Brass Rod Price Forecast indicates near-term mixed adjustments influenced by feedstock trends and seasonal purchasing.
- Brass Rod Production Cost Trend rose as LME copper and zinc surcharges increased alloy costs.
- Brass Rod Demand Outlook remains supportive as automotive and construction restocking offset decorative-sector seasonal lull.
- Brass Rod Price Index showed gains as inventories tightened and pre-buying rose ahead of logistics.
- Integrated mills ran near nameplate, preserving output while inventories fell, tightening spot and export availability.
Why did the price of Brass Rod change in December 2025 in Europe?
- Tighter copper and zinc availability raised feedstock costs, directly pressuring production margins and final offers.
- Export enquiries from Spain and Germany drew inventory into exports, reducing domestic spot availability significantly.
- Compliance overheads and port labour disruptions extended procurement lead times, sustaining premia on producer offers.
For the Quarter Ending September 2025
North America
- In North America, the Brass Rod Price Index rose by approximately +2.4% quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, thanks to stable industrial demand and constrained supply of key alloys.
- Brass Rod Spot Price firmed as copper and zinc feed-stock tightness elevated mill input costs and limited discounting by producers.
- Brass Rod Price Forecast points to continued modest gains into Q4 2025, provided raw-material constraints persist and downstream demand remains solid.
- Brass Rod Production Cost Trend moved upward, driven by higher copper scrap values, elevated energy and freight charges, and tighter zinc alloy supply.
- Brass Rod Demand Outlook remains favourable across North America: strong consumption from construction plumbing/hardware, electrical connectors and automotive components supports the market.
- The Brass Rod Price Index was underpinned this quarter by inventory draws at service centres, tighter availability of premium lead-free brass grades and increased project procurement in building systems.
- Domestic mills operated at high utilisation, while import-dependent grades remained constrained, sustaining the Price Index at elevated levels.
Why did the price of Brass Rod change in September 2025 in North America?
- The Brass Rod Price Index increased in September as buyers accelerated purchases ahead of anticipated year-end specification changes (especially lead-free alloys), drawing down prompt inventories.
- Rising copper scrap premiums and freight/logistics inflation raised landed input costs, prompting mills to lift offering levels and support the Brass Rod Spot Price.
- Additionally, sustained demand from plumbing/hardware sectors and moderate restocking in the automotive supply chain reinforced upward pricing momentum despite broader macro-economic caution.
APAC
- In South Korea, the Brass Rod Price Index fell by 0.36% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting demand weakness.
- The average Brass Rod price for the quarter was approximately USD 7080.00/MT, FOB Busan level.
- Brass Rod Spot Price softened amid oversupply pressures, muted downstream buying pressured the Price Index.
- Brass Rod Production Cost Trend rose as copper and zinc tightness elevated mill cash costs.
- Brass Rod Demand Outlook stays muted amid automotive and construction slowdowns, infrastructure offers limited support.
- Brass Rod Price Forecast suggests modest variability contingent on raw material tightness and export demand.
- LME cancellations tightened local supply, supporting the Brass Rod Price Index despite weaker domestic procurement.
- Domestic mills operated near capacity, but export demand softness and inventory accumulation pressured spot bids.
Why did the price of Brass Rod change in September 2025 in APAC?
- Reduced downstream procurement and seasonal slowdown lowered demand, outweighing tighter raw material cost pressures locally.
- Copper and zinc tightness pushed production costs higher, while port delays and logistics raised prices.
- Export buyer caution and inventory destocking created selling pressure, partially offsetting supply-side cost increases recently.
Europe
- In France, the Brass Price Index rose by 1.82% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting tighter raw material supply.
- The average Brass price for the quarter was approximately USD 7665.33/MT, based on FOB Marseille.
- Brass Spot Price showed volatility as manufacturers absorbed higher input costs while maintaining order books.
- Brass Price Forecast points to oscillations driven by base metal availability and European demand recovery.
- Brass Production Cost Trend remains elevated due to firmer copper and zinc prices and energy.
- Brass Demand Outlook is balanced as construction weakness offsets resilient automotive and electrical equipment consumption.
- Inventory withdrawals and stronger export demand tightened Brass Price Index dynamics, supporting upward pricing pressure.
- Operational issues and logistical bottlenecks constrained shipments, keeping Brass Price Index firm through the quarter.
Why did the price of Brass change in September 2025 in Europe?
- Raw material shortages, notably copper and zinc, reduced mill flexibility and increased replacement cost pressures.
- Elevated energy and logistics costs with an unfavorable euro dollar exchange rate pressured manufacturing margins.
- Weak construction demand offset resilient automotive and electrical offtake, leaving net price movement modestly subdued.
