For the Quarter Ending September 2025
North America
• In the USA, the Copper Wire Price Index rose by 1.58% quarter-over-quarter, driven by restocking.
• The average Copper Wire price for the quarter was approximately USD 22546.33/MT, reflecting restocking activity.
• Copper Wire Spot Price strengthened as tariff-driven landed costs and tight imports prompted buyer coverage.
• Copper Wire Price Forecast points to volatility, upside risk from infrastructure demand and import constraints.
• Copper Wire Production Cost Trend rose as scrap and tariff-boosted imports increased mill input costs.
• Copper Wire Demand Outlook remains robust, supported by data-center builds, grid upgrades, and non-residential construction.
• Inventory draws, port bottlenecks and policy uncertainty supported the Copper Wire Price Index during September.
• Domestic mill ramp-ups mitigated some shortages, yet capacity constraints kept Copper Wire Price Index elevated.
Why did the price of Copper Wire change in September 2025 in North America?
• Tariff implementation raised landed import costs, reducing foreign supply and prompting restocking by domestic buyers.
• Strong infrastructure and data-center demand increased consumption, supporting prices despite some buyer caution around tariffs.
• Port congestion and logistical delays constrained deliveries, amplifying physical tightness despite steady mine production levels.
APAC
• In Malaysia, the Copper Wire Price Index fell by 0.11% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting slight supply-demand rebalancing.
• The average Copper Wire price for the quarter was approximately USD 10613.00/MT across CFR Klang shipments.
• Copper Wire Spot Price reflected lowered Chinese output, tightening CFR availability and upstream regional premiums.
• Copper Wire Price Index volatility eased as import flows stabilized, costs moderated in intra-Asia routes.
• Copper Wire Price Forecast indicates modest gains on resumed construction and data centre fit-out activity.
• Copper Wire Production Cost Trend tightened due to elevated raw copper benchmarks and shipping fluctuations.
• Copper Wire Demand Outlook remains positive driven by data-centre expansion, renewables rollouts and electronics ramps.
• Copper Wire Price Index showed muted quarterly movement as inventory adjustments balanced against project-driven procurement.
Why did the price of Copper Wire change in September 2025 in APAC?
• Reduced Chinese manufacturing rates constrained export availability, tightening local CFR supply and supporting price increases.
• Strong project-driven demand from data centres and renewable installations elevated consumption despite cautious distributor restocking behaviour.
• Improved logistics and lower intra-Asia freight reduced landed costs, tempering price escalations amid tight raw markets.
Europe
In Europe, the Copper Wire Price Index rose by approximately 1.5% quarter-over-quarter, supported by steady downstream consumption and cost pressures.
Copper Wire Spot Price strengthened as elevated energy costs, carbon compliance burdens and tight inland logistics elevated production cost and supply risk.
Copper Wire Price Forecast points to modest upward momentum into Q4 2025, albeit with potential headwinds from macroeconomic softness and freight/logistics improvements.
Copper Wire Production Cost Trend rose, dragged by high energy tariffs, input copper premiums, and inland transport bottlenecks in key European manufacturing hubs.
Copper Wire Demand Outlook remains positive: growth in renewables, grid modernisation and electrification support demand, though traditional construction remains subdued.
The Copper Wire Price Index movement in September was influenced by inland transport delays, elevated energy and carbon cost burdens and steady procurement from cable and transformer manufacturers.
Despite higher supply chain flexibility compared to earlier in the year, capacity constraints—especially in smelting and wire-drawing operations—kept the Price Index elevated.
Why did the price of Copper Wire change in September 2025 in Europe?
The Copper Wire Price Index increased in September due to resumed procurement ahead of year-end project deadlines (especially in renewables and grid upgrades) combined with supply side tightness from higher energy and freight costs.
In addition, inland logistic bottlenecks (especially barges and rail) delayed deliveries, prompting buyers to cover earlier, thus supporting higher spot pricing.
On the margin, improved macroeconomic signals in Germany and Northern Europe revived demand for electrical cable and wiring, helping push the Price Index upward.
For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America
• The Copper Wire Price Index in North America fell by 2.1% quarter over quarter, reflecting a surplus of inventory in warehouses and steady output from major global producers. This downturn in Copper Wire Price was driven by ample supply outpacing muted demand across key consuming sectors.
• Raw material and labor costs trended upward, but these cost pressures were largely offset by cautious procurement, keeping market prices subdued.
• Demand softness persisted in the automotive and data center sectors, as vehicle sales remained weak and tech giants delayed expansions amid economic uncertainty and US–China trade tensions.
• By the end of the quarter, inventories remained elevated with no major logistical disruptions, exerting continued downward pressure on prices.
• Why did the price of Copper Wire change in July 2025 in the US?
The Copper Wire Price experienced a sharp increase in July 2025 after President Trump announced a 50% tariff on imported copper products, causing U.S. Comex futures to surge more than 12%. This policy shift immediately reshaped the Copper Wire Demand Outlook, as market participants accelerated purchases ahead of the tariff’s enforcement.
Europe
• Copper Wire Price Index in Europe ticked upward over Q2 2025, reflecting firmer regional fundamentals amid mixed signals from supply chains and end use markets.
• European copper wire producers maintained broadly stable output, supported by steady smelter operations across major hubs (e.g., Germany and the Nordics). However, high energy costs and occasional freight bottlenecks—particularly through key Mediterranean ports—added strain to margins and logistical timelines.
• Throughout the quarter, input pressures rose as raw copper premiums held elevated levels and energy tariffs crept higher. These factors, combined with tighter working capital conditions, exerted upward pressure on overall production costs.
• End market demand was underpinned by continued electrification projects and moderate recovery in the automotive sector, while traditional construction activity remained subdued. Renewable energy installations and grid modernization programmes provided additional off take, helping to balance softer pockets of demand.
• Copper Wire Price Forecast: Prices are anticipated to show restrained volatility into Q3, with any upward momentum capped by the prospect of improved freight flows and potential easing of raw material premiums, even as cost pressures linger.
• Why did the price of Copper Wire change in July 2025 in Europe?
By early July, the European Copper Wire Price declined, as London Metal Exchange cash prices eased following the announcement of U.S. tariffs—reducing arbitrage flows into Europe and softening regional price levels.
APAC
• Copper Wire Price Index in Asia rose by 2.34% quarter over quarter in Q2 2025, reflecting a stronger regional market despite mixed supply demand signals.
• Regional copper wire supply remained resilient, underpinned by robust production in China where operating rates for copper wire and cable enterprises averaged above 80%—and improved import flows of copper concentrate. However, tight processing fees and higher freight costs introduced pressure on margins, leading some smaller producers to operate at sub optimal capacity.
• Raw material prices (notably copper concentrate) and labor costs climbed throughout the quarter, while intra Asia shipping fees surged—adding 15% to container rates by late June—further elevating costs for APAC copper wire.
• End use demand in the automotive and construction sectors showed modest recovery mid quarter, supported by post festival restocking and renewed infrastructure project approvals. Meanwhile, Malaysia’s rapid growth as a data center hub and accelerated clean energy deployments in Southeast Asia bolstered consumption, offsetting softness elsewhere.
• Why did the price of Copper Wire change in July 2025 in Asia?
By early July, the Asian Copper Wire Price slipped as futures prices on the Shanghai Futures Exchange and global benchmarks were weighed down by the U.S. announcement of a forthcoming 50% tariff on copper imports—dampening arbitrage flows into Asia and pressuring regional price levels.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
North America saw notable developments in the copper wire market during Q1 2025, largely driven by geopolitical uncertainty, shifting demand patterns, and evolving supply chain conditions. The USA, being a major importer and consumer, played a central role in shaping regional dynamics.
In the U.S., copper wire prices rose 3.5% quarter-on-quarter, closing Q1 at USD 23,378/mt CFR San Diego. Price momentum remained consistently upward throughout the quarter, influenced by policy uncertainty, including the Section 232 investigation into copper imports. This investigation, aimed at assessing national security risks, introduced volatility and led to stockpiling and inventory drawdowns.
Supply-side constraints were significant, with weather disruptions in Australia and energy-related production issues in Chile impacting global copper availability. Domestically, manufacturers responded by increasing imports ahead of potential tariffs. Demand also strengthened, fueled by growth in construction, electric vehicles, and data center infrastructure. Job additions in construction and rising vehicle sales, particularly EVs, supported sustained copper wire consumption. Collectively, these supply and demand dynamics underscored the U.S. copper wire market’s bullish trajectory during the first quarter.
APAC
The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region experienced a strong upswing in copper wire market activity during Q1 2025, driven by resilient demand from key downstream sectors and persistent global supply constraints. Regional momentum was supported by manufacturing recoveries, infrastructure investments, and robust intra-Asian trade flows, particularly among Taiwan, Vietnam, and China. In Taiwan, copper wire prices climbed steadily throughout the quarter, recording a 4.8% quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) increase and closing at USD 10,763/mt CFR San Diego. January saw moderate growth amid subdued manufacturing activity and easing inflation, with demand sustained by the high-tech and automotive sectors. February marked a sharper recovery as post-holiday manufacturing resumed, though concerns over U.S. trade policy and sanctions on Russian and Chinese copper impacted supply accessibility. March brought the most significant price jump, fueled by tight supply, smelter challenges, and surging demand in automotive, construction, and digital infrastructure sectors. Declining LME inventories and global mine disruptions further strained availability. Strong regional demand, particularly from Vietnam and China, coupled with Taiwan’s expanding export industry, reinforced bullish market sentiment.
Europe
The European copper wire market witnessed a gradual but steady recovery in Q1 2025, supported by improved industrial sentiment, green infrastructure investments, and tightening global supply conditions. Despite economic uncertainties across the region, demand for copper wire remained firm, with a focus on electrification, renewable energy, and automotive advancements. In Germany, the market reflected these continental trends, with a quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) increase in copper wire prices. January began with modest gains, as industrial production remained stable despite high energy costs. Demand was underpinned by Germany’s expanding EV industry and government-backed grid modernization initiatives. In February, sustained procurement from the electrical and construction sectors drove price momentum, with buyers actively sourcing material ahead of potential supply disruptions. March saw heightened market activity amid tightening inventories and reduced imports due to geopolitical uncertainties and logistics issues across European ports. Germany’s strong focus on climate targets and digital infrastructure continued to spur copper wire consumption, setting a bullish tone for the months ahead.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
In the fourth quarter of 2024, copper wire prices in North America exhibited a marginal decline of 0.1% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting a stable yet slightly softened market. Supply chains remained resilient, supported by efficient logistics, robust domestic production, and advancements in recycling infrastructure. Manufacturers leveraged improved technologies to optimize production and maintain consistent supply, ensuring minimal disruptions despite global challenges such as low smelter treatment charges.
In the United States, demand dynamics were mixed. The automotive sector experienced notable growth, fueled by rising electric vehicle adoption, with vehicle sales increasing 9.8% year-over-year. Additionally, the renewable energy sector continued to drive demand due to investments in solar, wind, and EV infrastructure. However, the construction sector, a major consumer of copper wire, faced headwinds from elevated mortgage rates, leading to a significant slowdown in residential real estate activity. Housing inventory dropped by 8.6%, and construction activity stagnated, dampening demand for copper wiring.
By the end of the quarter, the price of copper wire (0.2 inch) CFR San Diego stood at USD 21,668/MT. Despite challenges in the construction sector, the U.S. copper wire market maintained stable production levels, positioning itself for potential recovery amid ongoing infrastructure investments and energy transition efforts.
Europe
In the fourth quarter of 2024, the European copper wire market remained stable, supported by robust supply dynamics. Increased copper production in Chile and improved global smelting activity bolstered availability, while Europe benefited from a reduction in smelter inactivity, particularly with Poland's Glogow smelter resuming full operations. Inventory levels remained sufficient, and Germany’s investment in recycling infrastructure further stabilized supply. However, tight global copper concentration markets and declining treatment and refining charges highlighted ongoing challenges. In Germany, the copper market reflected mixed demand dynamics. The automotive sector was a key driver, with domestic car production rising 17% year-over-year early in the quarter. However, by the quarter’s end, production declined 8% month-over-month, reflecting softening demand. Battery-electric vehicle registrations also fell, signaling challenges in the EV segment. The construction sector faced headwinds from rising borrowing costs, regulatory uncertainties, and subdued activity, particularly in homebuilding. Despite these challenges, demand for copper in luxury real estate and automotive exports provided some stability. Political uncertainty and cautious economic sentiment influenced market behavior, with businesses adopting a wait-and-see approach. While the German copper wire market closed the quarter with adequate supply and moderate demand, the outlook remains cautious amid broader economic and sectoral pressures.
APAC
In the fourth quarter of 2024, copper wire prices in the APAC region increased by 4.8%, driven by robust demand and supply dynamics. Key factors included steady power grid orders, growth in new energy projects, and strong automotive sales, offset by cautious procurement strategies and inventory adjustments in China. Despite challenges such as reduced operating rates and year-end production slowdowns in China, steady copper imports and optimized production capacities ensured supply stability. In South Korea, copper wire prices rose significantly, reaching USD 9544/MT FOB Busan by the end of the quarter. The manufacturing sector demonstrated resilience, supported by ICT exports and the recovery of production after plant maintenance. The automotive industry played a pivotal role, with domestic and export vehicle sales driving demand for copper wire, essential in modern vehicles. Renewable energy projects and infrastructure investments further boosted demand. However, economic challenges, including volatile currency rates and political uncertainty, impacted on business confidence and manufacturing output, particularly in construction and other sectors. Despite these obstacles, the quarter concluded with sustained growth in copper wire demand, positioning South Korea as a key contributor to the region's positive pricing trend and highlighting its strategic importance in global supply chains.
