In July 2026, China's copper plate/sheet and strip exports pulled back MoM but continued double-digit YoY growth, with the overall export market maintaining a strong performance. Specifically, Vietnam, South Korea, and Taiwan, China remained the top three export destinations for China's copper plate/sheet and strip in July, accounting for a combined 38% of total exports. Among them, Vietnam grew 118% YoY. Additionally, Egypt and Germany saw notable YoY increases of 171% and 131%, respectively, with outstanding performance.

The Central Bank of Chile announced on Friday that copper export value of Chile, the world's largest copper producer, reached $5.37 billion in July, up 22.7% from a year earlier.The central bank said that the country's trade surplus in the month was $1.99 billion, below the $2.38 billion expected by surveyed economists.

Data released by Kazakhstan’s National Bureau of Statistics showed that the country’s exports of copper cathode and unwrought copper alloys reached 165,260 mt from January to May 2026, up 17.2% YoY compared to 165,260 mt in the same period of 2025. In terms of export value, total exports amounted to $2.307 billion, up 58.6% YoY from $1.454 billion in the same period of 2025. Turkey was the largest export destination for Kazakhstan’s copper products (105,598 mt), followed by China (65,369 mt) and the UK (15,939 mt). Kazakhstan also exported 3,175 mt to the UAE and 3,101 mt to Thailand.

Zambia is advancing a structural policy shift to restrict raw copper exports and mandate local mineral processing, directing international industrial partners to invest in domestic manufacturing facilities, according to foreign media reports. State delegations are currently negotiating agreements with specialized foreign manufacturers including China’s Wuxi Jiangnan Cable, to establish local plants capable of converting raw copper cathodes into high-value fabricated goods, such as high-voltage transmission cables and industrial wiring. This strategy reflects a broader regional trend across resource-rich African nations seeking to move beyond primary extraction toward downstream industrialization. For foreign mining operators and industrial investors, maintaining access to Zambian mineral assets will increasingly require capital deployment toward domestic smelting, refining, and manufacturing infrastructure. Similar value-addition mandates are taking shape across the continent, such as West African measures restricting raw cocoa bean exports in favor of domestic processing. By enforcing local-content and downstream manufacturing requirements, Zambia aims to capture higher export margins, generate skilled industrial employment, and build resilient domestic supply chains.

[SMM Copper Cathode Rod Flash] In H1, the export flow pattern was reshaped. Saudi Arabia surged 755.70% YoY to become the top export destination, contributing the main growth. Exports to markets such as Indonesia and Australia also increased sharply. Among the top ten markets, only the Philippines saw a decline. The export layout continued to diversify, with the market center gradually shifting to the Middle East, while Southeast Asian demand showed divergence.

Chile is being affected by a strong winter frontal system, with the main impact expected to focus on July 16–17 and possibly persisting through July 20–21. This weather event shows pronounced regional differences. High-altitude and mountainous areas in northern mining regions such as Antofagasta and Atacama will experience moderate to heavy snowfall and strong winds, while central to southern Chile faces persistent heavy rainfall, with an increased risk of localized flooding, landslides, and mudslides. The Chilean government has activated preventive emergency responses, and mining authorities have also communicated contingency plans with major mining enterprises. According to SMM’s discussions with local industry insiders, the heavy snowfall and rainfall may cause short-term disruptions to road transportation and port loading in some mining areas, posing a risk of delays to the export pace of copper concentrates and copper cathode. The actual impact will still depend on the duration of the weather and the operational status of major mines.