Copper Prices Declined! SUNSHINE Weekly Scrap Prices Tracker: May 26-30, 2025

This week (May 26-30, 2025), scrap metal prices exhibited some fluctuations across different markets. Based on the price data from SUNSHINE for scrap metals in China, India, United Kingdom, and United States, the following is a report on the prices of Copper Scrap and Aluminum Scrap in the four countries. 

China – Scrap Copper Prices 

This week (May 26 to 30, 2025), scrap copper prices in China remained generally stable, with a slight decline observed on May 30, ranging between 0.29% and 0.44%. Compared to the previous week (reference date: May 23), prices remained unchanged. 

Motor Copper experienced the largest decrease this week, dropping from 68,800 CNY/MT (May 26) to 68,500 CNY/MT (May 30), a decrease of 300 CNY/MT or 0.44%. 

Next was Copper (Cu≈98%), which fell from 71,800 CNY/MT (May 26) to 71,500 CNY/MT (May 30), a decrease of 300 CNY/MT or 0.42%. 

The following chart illustrates the price trends for Motor Copper and Copper (Cu≈98%) this week: 

China – Scrap Aluminum Prices 

This week (May 26 to 30, 2025), scrap aluminum prices in China showed some fluctuations but overall experienced a slight decline, with drops ranging between 0.28% and 0.56%. Compared to the previous week (reference date: May 23), prices showed consistent trends with this week’s changes. 

1 Series Aluminum Scrap had the largest decrease, falling from 17,925 CNY/MT (May 26) to 17,825 CNY/MT (May 30), a decrease of 100 CNY/MT or 0.56%. 

Next was Clean Tapping Aluminum Wire, which declined from 18,150 CNY/MT (May 26) to 18,050 CNY/MT (May 30), a decrease of 100 CNY/MT or 0.55%. 

The following chart illustrates the price trends for 1 Series Aluminum Scrap and Clean Tapping Aluminum Wire this week: 

India – Scrap Copper Prices 

This week (May 26 to 30, 2025), scrap copper prices in India showed mixed movements, with most scrap types recording increases between 0.13% and 1.03%. Copper Wire Scrap and Brass Utensil saw declines of 0.13% and 0.36%, respectively, while Brass Hunny Scrap remained stable. Compared to the previous week (reference date: May 23), the overall price trends were similar. 

Brass Sheet Cutting had the largest increase this week, rising from 580 INR/kg (May 26) to 586 INR/kg (May 30), an increase of 6 INR/kg or 1.03%. 

Compared to the previous week, Copper Wire Scrap saw the largest decrease, falling from 792 INR/kg (May 23) to 789 INR/kg (May 30), a decrease of 3 INR/kg or 0.38%. 

The following chart illustrates the price trends for Brass Sheet Cutting and Copper Wire Scrap this week: 

India – Scrap Aluminum Prices 

This week (May 26 to 30, 2025), scrap aluminum prices in India remained relatively stable. No.1 Aluminum saw a slight increase of 0.06%, while No.2 Aluminum decreased by 0.36%. Other aluminum scrap prices remained unchanged. Compared to the previous week (reference date: May 23), most aluminum scrap prices saw minor decreases, ranging from 0.31% to 0.49%. No.1 Aluminum saw a slight increase, and Aluminium Accessories Scrap remained unchanged. 

No.2 Aluminum dropped from 178.3 INR/kg (May 26) to 177.65 INR/kg (May 30), a decrease of 0.65 INR/kg or 0.36%. 

Compared to the previous week, Aluminium Utensils Scrap had the largest decrease, falling from 205 INR/kg (May 23) to 204 INR/kg (May 30), a decrease of 1 INR/kg or 0.49%. 

The following chart illustrates the price trends for No.2 Aluminum and Aluminium Utensils Scrap this week: 

United Kingdom – Scrap Copper Prices 

This week (May 26 to 30, 2025), scrap copper prices in the UK showed varied movements. Dry Bright Copper and Braziery/Copper Cylinders recorded decreases of 0.85% and 1.12%, respectively, while other copper scrap prices remained unchanged. Compared to the previous week (reference date: May 23), the trends were consistent. 

Braziery/Copper Cylinders had the largest drop, falling from 4.45 GBP/kg (May 26) to 4.40 GBP/kg (May 30), a decrease of 0.05 GBP/kg or 1.12%. 

Next was Dry Bright Copper, which declined from 5.85 GBP/kg (May 26) to 5.80 GBP/kg (May 30), a decrease of 0.05 GBP/kg or 0.85%. 

The following chart illustrates the price trends for Braziery/Copper Cylinders and Dry Bright Copper this week: 

United States – Scrap Copper Prices 

This week (May 26 to 30, 2025), scrap copper prices in the US generally showed a downward trend, with slight fluctuations during the week. All copper scrap types declined, except Brass, which remained stable. The decreases ranged between 0.32% and 0.55%. Compared to the previous week (reference date: May 23), all copper scrap prices remained unchanged. 

Copper No.1 recorded the largest decrease, falling from 3.62 USD/Lb (May 26) to 3.60 USD/Lb (May 30), a drop of 0.02 USD/Lb or 0.55%. 

Next was Sheet Copper, which declined from 2.91 USD/Lb (May 26) to 2.90 USD/Lb (May 30), a decrease of 0.01 USD/Lb or 0.34%. 

The following chart illustrates the price trends for Copper No.1 and Sheet Copper this week: 

United States – Scrap Aluminum Prices 

This week (May 26 to 30, 2025), scrap aluminum prices in the US showed a downward trend. Prices for AL Sheet and Aluminum Copper Unit remained unchanged, while other aluminum scrap types declined, with drops ranging from 1.23% to 4.29%. Compared to the previous week (reference date: May 23), all aluminum scrap prices remained stable. 

Cast Alum had the largest decrease, dropping from 0.70 USD/Lb (May 26) to 0.67 USD/Lb (May 30), a drop of 0.03 USD/Lb or 4.29%. 

Next was Aluminum Wire, which fell from 0.57 USD/Lb (May 26) to 0.55 USD/Lb (May 30), a decrease of 0.02 USD/Lb or 3.51%. 

The following chart illustrates the price trends for Cast Alum and Aluminum Wire this week: