Eastern Europe: Copper Market 2025

Copper Market Size in Eastern Europe

The East European copper market rose modestly to $X in 2022, growing by 2.4% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Copper Production in Eastern Europe

In value terms, copper production declined to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a pronounced downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when the production volume increased by 42%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Copper Exports

Exports in Eastern Europe

In 2022, the amount of copper exported in Eastern Europe skyrocketed to X tons, with an increase of 18% compared with the year before. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 61%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, copper exports stood at $X in 2022. Total exports indicated measured growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +49.9% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 100% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

Bulgaria was the largest exporter of copper in Eastern Europe, with the volume of exports resulting at X tons, which was near 81% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Slovakia (X tons), mixing up a 19% share of total exports.

Bulgaria was also the fastest-growing in terms of the copper exports, with a CAGR of +6.5% from 2012 to 2022. Slovakia (-4.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Bulgaria increased by +21 percentage points.

In value terms, Bulgaria ($X) remains the largest copper supplier in Eastern Europe, comprising 84% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Slovakia ($X), with a 16% share of total exports.

In Bulgaria, copper exports increased at an average annual rate of +8.1% over the period from 2012-2022.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Eastern Europe stood at $X per ton in 2022, which is down by -7.2% against the previous year. Export price indicated a modest expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, copper export price increased by +83.2% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the export price increased by 40%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton, and then declined in the following year.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Bulgaria ($X per ton), while Slovakia totaled $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bulgaria (+1.5%).

Copper Imports

Imports in Eastern Europe

Copper imports surged to X tons in 2022, jumping by 54% against the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a pronounced contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when imports increased by 71%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, copper imports surged to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, recorded a abrupt descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 87%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Poland (X tons) was the largest importer of copper, creating 64% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Hungary (X tons), Russia (X tons) and Bulgaria (X tons), together generating a 33% share of total imports. Slovakia (X tons) held a little share of total imports.

Imports into Poland decreased at an average annual rate of -5.2% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Bulgaria (+33.1%), Slovakia (+11.3%) and Hungary (+5.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Bulgaria emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Eastern Europe, with a CAGR of +33.1% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Russia (-10.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Hungary (+9.2 p.p.), Bulgaria (+4.7 p.p.) and Slovakia (+2.3 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Poland (-3 p.p.) and Russia (-12.2 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Poland ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported copper in Eastern Europe, comprising 58% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Russia ($X), with a 27% share of total imports. It was followed by Hungary, with an 8.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Poland totaled -4.5%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Russia (-7.2% per year) and Hungary (-3.5% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Eastern Europe amounted to $X per ton, with a decrease of -18.7% against the previous year. In general, the import price saw a noticeable reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 33%. Over the period under review, import prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Russia ($X per ton), while Hungary ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Russia (+3.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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