Malaysia: Copper Matte Market 2025

Copper Matte Market Size in Malaysia

In 2022, the Malaysian copper matte market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Over the period under review, consumption, however, recorded a abrupt downturn. Copper matte consumption peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Copper Matte Production in Malaysia

In value terms, copper matte production declined slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 32% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Copper Matte Exports

Exports from Malaysia

In 2022, approx. X tons of copper mattes and cement copper were exported from Malaysia; which is down by -26.4% compared with 2021 figures. In general, exports, however, saw a significant increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 343% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, copper matte exports dropped sharply to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, enjoyed significant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when exports increased by 255% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Japan (X tons) was the main destination for copper matte exports from Malaysia, with a 66% share of total exports. Moreover, copper matte exports to Japan exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, China (X tons), sixfold. The third position in this ranking was held by India (X tons), with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Japan stood at +24.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: China (+34.6% per year) and India (+89.3% per year).

In value terms, Japan ($X) remains the key foreign market for copper mattes and cement copper exports from Malaysia, comprising 76% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by China ($X), with a 17% share of total exports. It was followed by India, with a 4.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Japan amounted to +24.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: China (+43.9% per year) and India (+102.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average copper matte export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price saw a mild contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the average export price increased by 58%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Thailand ($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 India (+7.0%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Copper Matte Imports

Imports into Malaysia

In 2022, supplies from abroad of copper mattes and cement copper was finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a four-year declining trend. In general, imports continue to indicate a noticeable increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when imports increased by 836% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, copper matte imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a abrupt downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when imports increased by 645% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, South Africa (X tons) constituted the largest copper matte supplier to Malaysia, with a 68% share of total imports. Moreover, copper matte imports from South Africa exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, India (X tons), threefold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from South Africa was relatively modest. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: India (+17.3% per year) and Switzerland (+39.8% per year).

In value terms, South Africa ($X) constituted the largest supplier of copper mattes and cement copper to Malaysia, comprising 76% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by India ($X), with a 10% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from South Africa amounted to -9.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: India (-15.2% per year) and Switzerland (+2.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average copper matte import price amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 7.4% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, recorded a deep downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 7.6%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2022, the average import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (-10.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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