U.S. Census Bureau Posted 10% Dip in Copper Scrap Exports

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The exports of copper waste and scrap by the U.S. registered sharp decline during the initial nine months of the current year, in accordance with the latest trade data published by the U.S. Census Bureau.

The country exported $2.15 billion worth of copper waste and scrap during this period, down by 10.16% when compared with the exports of $2.39 billion from January to September in 2018. The exports totalled $210 million in September 2019.

The primary export destination of copper waste and scrap from the U.S. was China. The strict controls on waste imports by Chinese administration have led to 65% year-on-year decline in exports to that country. China’s share of total exports by the U.S. dropped to 16.43% during the first nine months of the year. The second largest importer was Malaysia, whose imports from the U.S. were valued at $307.26 million. The imports by that country surged higher significantly by almost 149% over the previous year. With 12.02% market share, Canada emerged as the third favourite destination of U.S exports. The other key importers were South Korea and Japan.

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Meantime, the data through September 2019 suggests approximately 18% decline in U.S. imports of copper waste and scrap. The country imported $485.06 million worth of material, as compared with the imports of $589.75 million in the corresponding nine months in 2018. The top five sources of import were Canada ($281.68 million), Mexico ($151.53 million), Chile ($7.30 million), Dominican Republic ($7.28 million) and Costa Rica ($5.04 million).