For the Quarter Ending June 2026
Brass Scrap Prices in APAC
- In India, the Brass Scrap Price Index rose by 10.06% quarter-over-quarter due to tighter imports
- The average Brass Scrap price for the quarter was approximately USD 8434/MT on trades reported
- Brass Scrap Spot Price held as import lags supported domestic Price Index resilience and buyers
- Brass Scrap Price Forecast signals modest upside as mill procurement increases ahead of summer consumption
- Brass Scrap Production Cost Trend shows upward pressure from electricity, freight and insurance, increasing costs
- Brass Scrap Demand Outlook remains constructive with plumbing, electrical and export orders supporting steady procurement
- Brass Scrap Price Index volatility eased mid-June as customs checks and freight increases constrained imports
- Domestic inventories fell below twenty days, amplifying sensitivity of Brass Scrap Spot Price to imports
Why did the price of Brass Scrap change in June 2026 in APAC?
- Import delays from Gulf and North America reduced cargoes, tightening supply and elevating landed costs
- Higher electricity tariffs, rising ocean freight and insurance increased conversion and landed costs for processors
- Basel-aligned customs inspections and longer port dwell times constrained flows, prompting buyers to secure cargoes
Brass Scrap Prices in North America
- Brass Scrap Spot Price softened progressively through the quarter as increased domestic generation from demolition and manufacturing offcuts boosted yard inventories across the Midwest and Northeast.
- Brass Scrap Production Cost Trend remained relatively contained, as collection, sorting, and shredding costs stabilized despite moderate fuel price fluctuations, limiting any seller-driven upward pressure.
- Brass Scrap Price Forecast indicates further mild downside risk in early Q3 2026, unless copper and zinc LME benchmarks stage a sustained recovery that lifts scrap substitution values.
- Brass Scrap Demand Outlook turned subdued due to softer consumption from plumbing fitting manufacturers and automotive parts casters, who reduced intake amid slower end-user orders.
- Major U.S. scrap processors maintained steady throughput rates near 80%, but export container bookings to Asia dropped by 12%, leaving more material in the domestic spot market.
- Midwest warehouse and yard inventories increased by 18% over the quarter, reinforcing the downward Brass Scrap Price Index as buyers negotiated lower bids for prompt delivery.
Why did the price of Brass Scrap change in June 2026 in North America?
- Prices decreased in June 2026 primarily due to a surge in domestic scrap generation from spring demolition projects and automotive tear-downs, which flooded Midwest yards with supply.
- Simultaneously, major brass mills reduced their purchasing volumes by 8–10% as they entered seasonal maintenance slowdowns, creating a demand-supply imbalance that pressured the Brass Scrap Spot Price lower.
- Weaker copper and zinc futures on the LME during June also reduced the intrinsic value of brass scrap, prompting processors to adjust offer prices downward to clear accumulating inventory.
Brass Scrap Prices in Europe
- Brass Scrap Spot Price displayed a gradual downtrend as improved collection rates from the construction and automotive sectors increased material availability across Western Europe.
- Brass Scrap Production Cost Trend showed moderate increases in logistics and labor costs, but these were largely offset by lower energy prices for shredding operations, preventing any cost-push inflation.
- Brass Scrap Price Forecast projects a potential stabilization in Q3 2026, supported by seasonal restocking from European brass rod mills, though any recovery may be capped by ample port-side inventories.
- Brass Scrap Demand Outlook remains tepid, as the building and construction sector in Germany and France continued to underperform, while the electrical component segment provided only limited support.
- European processors operated at 72–75% capacity, with several yards in Benelux reporting elevated stock levels and slower turnover of mixed brass scrap grades.
- Rotterdam port inventories swelled by 15% over the quarter as containerized imports from West Africa and the Middle East arrived steadily, adding to the downward pressure on the Brass Scrap Price Index.
Why did the price of Brass Scrap change in June 2026 in Europe?
- Prices decreased in June 2026 because of a combination of higher intra-European scrap flows and a notable drop in export demand from Asian buyers, who shifted to alternative copper-bearing materials.
- Additionally, a slowdown in industrial activity across the Eurozone, particularly in the automotive supply chain, reduced the appetite for secondary brass alloys, forcing merchants to lower offers to attract buyers.
- The strengthening Euro against the U.S. Dollar made European brass scrap less competitive in export markets, reducing arbitrage opportunities and keeping more material within the region, which further depressed the Brass Scrap Spot Price during June.
For the Quarter Ending March 2026
Brass Scrap Prices in North America
- The Brass Scrap Price Index in North America strengthened quarter-over-quarter, supported by steady industrial consumption and tightening scrap availability across key hubs.
- The Brass Scrap Spot Price reflected firm sentiment as downstream mills increased procurement amid constrained Honey-grade inflows.
- The Brass Scrap Price Forecast remains cautiously optimistic, with stable demand from plumbing, electrical, and automotive component manufacturers.
- The Brass Scrap Production Cost Trend moved higher due to elevated energy tariffs, increased labor expenses, and rising inland freight charges.
- The Brass Scrap Demand Outlook stayed resilient, supported by construction activity, electrical wiring applications, and OEM restocking cycles.
- The Brass Scrap Price Index volatility was moderated by balanced import arrivals and steady downstream purchasing despite credit-cycle pressures.
- Inventory levels at major U.S. scrap yards tightened, prompting competitive spot buying from processors.
- Export inquiries from Mexico and Canada provided additional support to domestic mills, helping maintain stable operating rates.
Why did the price of Brass Scrap change in March 2026 in North America?
- Reduced scrap inflows and tighter Honey-grade availability lifted landed costs, directly supporting the Brass Scrap Price Index.
- Higher transportation and energy-linked surcharges increased processors’ breakeven levels, pushing offers upward.
- Consistent downstream offtake from plumbing and electrical sectors maintained firm demand, preventing any price softening.
Brass Scrap Prices in APAC
- In India, the Brass Scrap Price Index rose by 18.08% quarter-over-quarter, driven by tighter imports and freight
- The average Brass Scrap price for the quarter was approximately USD 7696.33/MT, per assessments and port landed-costs
- Brass Scrap Spot Price strength reflected limited Honey-grade arrivals, higher insurance and longer Cape-route voyages from Gulf
- Brass Scrap Price Forecast remains cautiously bullish as downstream mills maintain procurement despite incremental port-side inventory builds
- Brass Scrap Production Cost Trend elevated due to higher electricity tariffs and rising freight, underpinning processors' breakeven
- Brass Scrap Demand Outlook supported by plumbing, electrical and automotive segments, plus government infrastructure-driven orders sustaining offtake
- Brass Scrap Price Index volatility moderated by balanced import volumes, downstream purchasing amid credit and substitution pressures
- Inventory levels at Jamnagar yards tightened below 20 days, prompting spot competition and importers buying
- Export demand from Bangladesh and UAE cushioned domestic slump, keeping mills at capacity despite higher costs
Why did the price of Brass Scrap change in March 2026 in APAC?
- Reduced import arrivals and longer Cape-route transits tightened availability, directly lifting landed Brass Scrap landed costs
- Higher freight and insurance surcharges increased importers' breakevens, transmitting cost pressure into domestic scrap offers
- Steady downstream offtake from plumbing and electrical sectors maintained firm demand, offsetting substitution headwinds partially
Brass Scrap Prices in Europe
- The Brass Scrap Price Index in Europe softened slightly as improved scrap arrivals and easing logistics pressures increased material availability.
- The Brass Scrap Spot Price reflected subdued sentiment due to slower procurement from mills in Germany, Italy, and Eastern Europe.
- The Brass Scrap Price Forecast indicates a neutral trend as downstream buyers adopt cautious purchasing strategies amid macroeconomic uncertainty.
- The Brass Scrap Production Cost Trend moderated with lower energy prices and improved freight conditions across major EU ports.
- The Brass Scrap Demand Outlook remained stable, supported by electrical components, precision engineering, and limited restocking from OEMs.
- The Brass Scrap Price Index fluctuations were contained by balanced supply, although substitution pressures persisted in certain end-use sectors.
- Inventory levels at European yards remained adequate, reducing urgency among buyers and keeping spot activity muted.
- Export demand from North Africa and Turkey provided marginal support but did not significantly alter domestic sentiment.
Why did the price of Brass Scrap change in March 2026 in Europe?
- Increased scrap arrivals and smoother port operations improved availability, exerting downward pressure on the Brass Scrap Price Index.
- Lower energy and freight costs reduced processors’ breakeven levels, softening domestic offers.
- Slower downstream demand from engineering and electrical sectors contributed to reduced spot competition.
