Japan: Copper Market 2025

Copper Market Size in Japan

The Japanese copper market reduced modestly to $X in 2022, waning by -2.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption recorded a mild setback. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Copper Production in Japan

In value terms, copper production reached $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, continues to indicate a mild descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 19% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Copper Exports

Exports from Japan

In 2022, overseas shipments of copper decreased by -8.9% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. Overall, exports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 2,646% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, copper exports fell remarkably to $X in 2022. In general, exports continue to indicate a pronounced decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 1,721% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

China (X tons) was the main destination for copper exports from Japan, with a 89% share of total exports. Moreover, copper exports to China exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, India (X tons), more than tenfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Thailand (X tons), with a 2.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to China stood at +27.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: India (+6.8% per year) and Thailand (-29.9% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) remains the key foreign market for copper exports from Japan, comprising 85% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by India ($X), with a 4.1% share of total exports. It was followed by Thailand, with a 2.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to China stood at +27.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: India (+5.2% per year) and Thailand (-29.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average copper export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, declining by -9.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price showed a pronounced shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 an increase of 103%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2022, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the Philippines ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to China ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the Philippines (+4.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Copper Imports

Imports into Japan

In 2022, the amount of copper imported into Japan fell markedly to X kg, declining by 99.9% compared with the previous year. Overall, imports saw a precipitous decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 438%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, copper imports shrank notably to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports saw a dramatic downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 624% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, the UK (X kg) was the main copper supplier to Japan, accounting for a approx. 100% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from the UK stood at +5.5%.

In value terms, the UK ($X) constituted the largest supplier of copper to Japan.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from the UK totaled +20.5%.

Import Prices by Country

The average copper import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 966% against the previous year. Overall, the import price recorded a significant expansion. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

As there is only one major supplying country, the average price level is determined by prices for the UK.

From 2012 to 2022, the rate of growth in terms of prices for the UK amounted to +14.2% per year.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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