Reuters: Chinese copper smelters cut production due to raw material shortage

According to Reuters, copper smelters in China are struggling with raw material shortages and overcapacity, prompting preventive production shutdowns during a period of peak demand to minimize losses. Approximately 8% of China's copper smelting capacity (around 980,000 tons) is currently under maintenance. Reuters highlights Tongling Nonferrous Metals Group among the major companies suspending operations.

Smelters typically schedule maintenance in April or May to take advantage of the surge in demand following the Lunar New Year holiday. This month’s widespread shutdowns are unusual, Reuters emphasized.

According to the agency’s analysts, China may need to increase copper imports this year due to anticipated large-scale production cuts at domestic smelters. Patricia Barreto of S&P Global Commodity Insights described this as a «significant risk» for 2025.