Price
News
- China’s Copper Cathode Imports Declined in 2026, While the Share of EQ Copper Imports Continued to Rise
According to the latest data disclosed by the General Administration of Customs, China’s imported copper cathode market, while maintaining the 2025 baseline, is facing dual challenges: the continued rise in the share of EQ copper and whether global supply will continue to be diverted. China’s cumulative copper cathode imports in January-February 2026 totaled 356,900 mt, down 33.13% YoY.
Mar 24, 2026 09:41 - What Could Change if Middle East Aluminum Trade Reroutes—and Supply Becomes Substitutable
Strait of Hormuz disruptions and Iran tensions are driving up aluminum prices and premiums. Aluminium Bahrain and Qatalum have cut output, while feedstock is tight. Rerouting via Port of Sohar or Saudi ports raises costs and delays. Buyers are turning to China, India, Russia, Canada, and scrap to offset risk. Prolonged disruption could reduce Middle East market share and reprice it as higher-risk supply.
Mar 24, 2026 17:22 - Rare Earth Ore Imports Surge in Early 2026, Exceeding Demand and Causing Surplus[SMM Analysis]
[SMM Analysis:Rare Earth Ore Imports Surge in Early 2026, Exceeding Demand and Causing Surplus] According to the latest data from the General Administration of Customs, from January to February 2026, China’s imports of mixed rare earth carbonate were about 3,013.7 mt, up 321% YoY. Over the same period, imports of unlisted rare earth oxides were about 12,860.4 mt, also posting a sharp increase of 209% YoY.
Mar 24, 2026 10:24 - Supplier Sell-Offs and Downstream Counteroffers, Shanghai Spot Copper Discounts Came Under Pressure [SMM Shanghai Spot Copper]
[SMM Shanghai Spot Copper] Copper prices rose from yesterday, but both buying and selling sentiment pulled back intraday, indicating that downstream acceptance of current price levels remained limited. In terms of market structure, under the current price spread between futures contracts structure, suppliers showed strong willingness to sell, with some offloading cargo, driving overall spot discounts down rapidly, while downstream willingness to make counteroffers was relatively evident. Entering the second trading session, after premiums were cut further, market transactions improved somewhat, but downstream procurement remained generally cautious, mainly focused on restocking on dips, with insufficient willingness to chase higher prices. Overall, amid the tug-of-war between suppliers actively selling and downstream buyers purchasing cautiously, Shanghai spot copper discounts were expected to remain under pressure tomorrow.
Mar 24, 2026 11:53 - [SMM Analysis] Indonesia's nickel sulphate imports pulled back in February, while China exports remained at a low level
According to the latest data from China Customs, China imported a total of 5,561 mt in metal content of nickel sulphate in February 2026, down 20% MoM and up 54% YoY. China exported 33 mt in metal content of nickel sulphate, down 74% MoM and down 75% YoY. China's net imports of nickel sulphate were 5,528 mt in metal content in February 2026, down 19% MoM and up 59% YoY. By country, exports to Japan pulled back this month, dragging down total exports; on the import side, imports from Indonesia and other countries also pulled back this month. Although imports from Finland increased, total imports still declined. Net imports of nickel salts also pulled back this month, broadly in line with last month's expectations.
Mar 23, 2026 20:23 - Gold just saw its biggest decline since 1983: what’s next
Gold is doing the opposite of what it should. The metal is falling for a reason most investors did not see coming. Wall Street's biggest banks have not changed their outlook. Here is why that matters.
Mar 23, 2026 11:29
Announcements
SMM will delist 14 price points for various steel types from specific mills effective April 1, 2026, due to prolonged stockouts. Clients should adjust their price usage to avoid business disruptions.
PriceMar 17, 2026 14:14Dear Users, To optimize the data structure and enhance your data retrieval and analysis efficiency, we will adjust the classification hierarchy of "Magnesium" data in our Database Pro, effective from February 1, 2026. Before Adjustment: After Adjustment: Reason for Adjustment: Sustained Growth in User Attention: We have observed that in recent years, user query frequency, analysis depth, and attention to magnesium-related data have significantly increased. This adjustment aims to respond to your needs, making the classification structure more aligned with your usage habits and enabling easier access and retrieval of relevant data. Impact and Recommendations for You: • Change in Data Access Path: After the adjustment, you can directly locate the "Magnesium" category under the Minor & Precious Metals classification directory in the database, without needing to access it through the "Minor Metal" category. • This adjustment will not result in any loss of historical data, nor will it affect data usage permissions it only changes the classification hierarchy. We believe this adjustment will provide you with a clearer and more efficient data service experience. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused by this adjustment and greatly appreciate your understanding and support. SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd. January 22, 2026
DataJan 22, 2026 13:54Dear Client, To keep pace with the rapid development of the magnesium metal industry and the growing need for supply-demand pattern analysis, our company has deeply optimized the data model based on the SMM Magnesium Database and is now systematically upgrading and adjusting the data standards and historical data related to magnesium metal in China. The details are as follows: I. Data Standard Upgrades and Data Revision Notes Background of Adjustments With the rapid growth in demand for magnesium alloys in the downstream sector of magnesium metal, the market landscape is evolving rapidly. For instance, technological iterations in die-casting equipment, differences in the penetration rate of thick and thin magnesium alloy die-cast parts, and recycling rates, among other multidimensional factors, have a significant impact on the production of recycled magnesium. To promptly address the industry's need for supply-demand pattern analysis amid its rapid development, adjustments have been made to the data collection standards for "recycled magnesium production," "primary magnesium production," and "total magnesium metal demand," with historical data also being revised. Previous data collection did not account for the supply of recycled magnesium, which could lead to significant deviations in supply estimates. As the SMM Magnesium Database becomes increasingly comprehensive and detailed, a more robust model has been established. Adjustment Details - Data Source Upgrade: Upgraded from a single primary magnesium market supply and demand dataset to the establishment of a dual supply-demand model for magnesium metal, encompassing both primary and recycled sources. - Revision Scope: Historical data from January 1, 2023, to the present (including retrospective revisions and future forecasts). Effective Date From October 30, 2025 SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd. SMM Magnesium Research Team Jiao Jiani 021-20707954 October 27, 2025
DataNov 4, 2025 16:36