China’s imports of copper from Russia in July rose to 333.9 million dollars, a surge of 4.2 times compared with the previous month and the highest level since November 2023. This update comes from RIA Novosti, citing the China Statistical Service for the official data. The rise underscores a significant shift in the cross-border metal trade between the two countries during the mid-year period and reflects the continued demand in China for refined metals and related alloys from Russia.
The biggest portion of these purchases was refined copper and related alloys, accounting for 259 million dollars, followed by copper waste and scrap at 75 million dollars. This breakdown highlights China’s ongoing appetite for both high-purity copper products and secondary copper materials, which are often used in recycling streams and downstream manufacturing processes.
By the end of July, the Russian Federation held the sixth position among China’s main copper suppliers, with the Republic of Congo ranking next at about 1.3 billion dollars in shipments. This placement illustrates China’s diversified supplier base for copper, where Russia remains a notable player but is outpaced by other major exporters in the year up to that point.
In the global ranking for July, Japan and Chile completed the top three suppliers, with shipments of roughly 490 million dollars and 432 million dollars respectively. Zambia contributed 369 million dollars, and the United States followed with around 338 million dollars, rounding out the top five. These figures reflect China’s broad sourcing network spanning multiple continents and the varying competitive dynamics across copper markets.
Looking at the first seven months of the year, China’s purchases of Russian copper totaled about 1.5 billion dollars. By the end of the previous year, the cumulative value of Russian copper supplied to China had reached approximately 3.2 billion dollars, pointing to a strong, sustained level ofRussian-origin copper flowing into Chinese manufacturing and industry sectors over the longer term.
There has also been a notable decline in stainless steel exports from India to Russia. Over six months, shipments have fallen by about 66 percent, signaling shifting demand patterns and the evolving trade relationship between these two large steel markets as sanctions, tariffs, and market dynamics influence bilateral flows.
Previous reports note that new European Union sanctions could affect the Russian aluminum industry, potentially influencing how metal supply chains adjust to external policy measures and how buyers diversify sources in response to regulatory changes. This broader geopolitical backdrop continues to shape the metals market, including copper and related commodities, as buyers weigh price, reliability, and supply assurance amid evolving global trade conditions.