Scrap Copper: Market Size & Forecast 2026

The global scrap copper market stands at approximately USD 42.0 billion in 2025 (base year), growing at 4.5 percent CAGR through 2032 to reach roughly USD 57.2 billion. The market operates in a structurally tight balance: refined copper cathode prices briefly exceeded USD 14,500 per metric tonne intraday in January 2026 (IEA), which compresses the discount that scrap commands against primary metal and tightens supplier margins on collection. Electrical wire and cable accounts for 42 percent of end-use demand, while building construction (plumbing and HVAC) holds 24 percent. The dominant supply dynamic is the gap between declining ore grades at primary mines and accelerating demand from grid electrification and EV wiring harnesses, which is pulling scrap upstream into strategic-input status. > **Analyst Take.** The consensus 4.5 percent CAGR masks a two-speed market. High-grade Bare Brigh

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