Copper Scrap Market Price Shows Steady in Osaka and Tokyo

Copper scrap market price was steady around Osaka and Tokyo on Monday. Japanese copper smelters’ breakeven point with imported ore seemed to reach 810,000 yen per tonne on Monday though JX Nippon Mining & Metals had raised its electrolytic copper ingot selling price, the indicator for copper scrap market price, to 800,000 yen on Friday.

Some scrap dealers approved higher purchasing price along the indicator upsurge and low scrap generation. On the other hand, some dealers maintained negative attitude to conclude new purchasing contracts or raise the purchasing price when scrap consumers are lowering operations along electric power saving. Market price trend is separating.

Positive dealers purchased No.1 copper wire market price at around 730 yen per kilogram for a 10-tonne lot while negative dealers set the purchasing price unchanged at around 720 yen on Monday. The market price for other copper scrap with above 95% copper content, supplied to copper smelters, was 600 yen or less. A scrap dealer source said the smelters are continuously decreasing the procurement volume and the purchasing price in July.

Around Tokyo, No.1 copper wire market price was steady at around 715-725 yen. One dealer commented they might approve 735 yen or more for regular delivery contract users. Other scrap dealers showed an expectation that scrap delivery could increase if the price indicator rises more.