Chinese Scrap Market Sees Broad Price Drop on the Index– March 31, 2026
Daily Scrap Metal Price Report | 2026-04-01 05:33:50
The price of #2 Copper Wire and Tubing also edged lower by CNY 400 per MT.
By Anil Mathews
BEIJING (Scrap Monster): The Chinese scrap metal prices mostly recorded modest decline on ScrapMonster Price Index as of Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
- Copper: Modest downward momentum
- Aluminum: Overall increase
- Brass/Bronze: Witnessed decline
- Stainless Steel: Modest dip in prices
- Steel: Held steady
Copper Scrap Prices
The #1 Copper Bare Bright and #1 Copper Wire and Tubing witnessed a decline in prices of CNY 400 per MT each over the previous day.
The price of #2 Copper Wire and Tubing also edged lower by CNY 400 per MT.
#1 Insulated Copper Wire 85% Recovery prices were down by CNY 200 per MT.
The price of #2 Insulated Copper Wire 50% Recovery recorded a decline of CNY 50 per MT over the previous day.
Copper Transformer and Cu Yokes scrap prices were unchanged on the Index.
Heater Cores prices dropped by CNY 100 per MT as of Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
Cu/Al Radiator prices were down by CNY 50 per MT.
Harness Wire 35% Recovery prices were flat upon comparison with the prior day’s prices.
Scrap Electric Motors and Sealed Units prices maintained previous day’s prices on the Index.
Aluminum Scrap Prices
6063 Aluminum Extrusions recorded a day-on-day price jump of CNY 150 per metric ton. Aluminum ingot prices also moved higher by CNY 150 per metric ton compared with the previous session.
Aluminum Radiator and Aluminum Transformer prices inched up by CNY 50 per MT each on the Index. E.C. Aluminum Wire prices registered marginal increase, rising by CNY 150 per metric ton as of March 31, 2026.
In the scrap market, both Old Cast aluminum and Old Sheet aluminum prices increased by CNY 150 per metric ton as of the index assessment date. Meanwhile, Used Beverage Cans (UBC) and Zorba 90% INF grades registered a jump of CNY 50 per MT from the prior day’s levels.
Steel Scrap Prices
#1 HMS prices held steady as of March 31, 2026.
Cast Iron Scrap reported no change in prices.
Stainless Steel Scrap Prices
- 201 SS: Witnessed no change
- 304 SS Solid: No variation in prices
- 304 SS Turning: Held steady
- 309 SS: Saw a dip of CNY 50 per MT
The price of 310 SS witnessed a decline of CNY 100 per MT on a daily basis.
316 SS Solid prices edged lower by CNY 50 per MT.
In the meantime, Shred SS scrap prices were unchanged as of Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
Brass/Bronze Scrap Prices
The Brass/Bronze Scrap prices in China recorded slight decline as of March 31, 2026.
- Brass Radiator: Witnessed no change
- Red Brass: Down by CNY 50 per MT
- Yellow Brass: Recorded a dip of CNY 50 per MT
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Which scrap segment is likely to see the strongest price movement next?
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which scrap metal saw the biggest decline?
Copper scrap recorded the sharpest fall, with key grades dropping by up to CNY 400/MT.
- Which segment showed price growth?
Aluminum scrap and ingots posted gains, with increases of up to CNY 150/MT.
- What was the trend in stainless steel scrap?
Mostly stable, with minor declines in select grades like 309 SS and 310 SS.
