Copper Cathode Rod Production Rises Despite Weak Demand and High Prices

Copper cathode rod production has resumed at some enterprises that had previously halted or cut back their output, leading to an increase in operating rates this week. However, despite this uptick, end-use demand remains weak, and new orders are scarce.

The surge in copper prices is also suppressing downstream procurement, as enterprises adopt a wait-and-see stance due to insufficient rigid demand from customers such as wire & cable and enamelled wire manufacturers.

SMM expects the operating rate of copper cathode rod enterprises to rise by 2.37 percentage points next week.