On April 3, 2026, the price of copper in Pakistan remains steady with high-quality Millberry scrap copper trading at around Rs. 5,500 per kilogram across major cities including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and Gujranwala. Refined new copper, which is valued for its higher purity, commands a premium, with prices generally ranging from Rs. 5,800 to over Rs. 6,200 per kilogram. Rates tend to be slightly higher in industrial centers like Karachi and Lahore due to demand and supply factors.
Meanwhile, standard or mixed copper scrap shows considerable price variation, typically between Rs. 2,100 and Rs. 3,500 per kilogram depending on the quality and location. Local copper prices carry a premium influenced by import duties, transportation costs, taxes, steady demand from electrical and construction sectors, and the current USD/PKR exchange rate hovering around 279 to 280.
In a significant development on the international front, copper prices have softened recently. The global benchmark stands near $5.56 per pound, reflecting a 1.08% daily decline and a 3.65% drop over the past month. Despite this short-term decrease, prices remain approximately 15.82% higher compared to the same period last year, highlighting ongoing volatility in the commodity markets. The three-month London Metal Exchange (LME) copper contract is trading close to $12,359 per tonne. When converted at an exchange rate of about 280 PKR per USD, the international base price equates to roughly Rs. 3,420 to Rs. 3,480 per kilogram before accounting for import-related expenses and local markups.
Analysts anticipate copper prices to rise to around $5.83 per pound by the end of this quarter and reach $6.22 within the next 12 months, supported by strong long-term fundamentals despite near-term corrections.
Copper, often referred to as “Dr. Copper,” serves as a real-time barometer of global industrial and economic health. Typically, rising or stable prices indicate robust manufacturing activity, infrastructure investments, and growth in green energy sectors. The current mild price correction follows earlier fluctuations, but enduring factors such as supply limitations and increasing demand from electric vehicles, renewable energy, battery storage, data centers, and power grid upgrades continue to underpin the metal’s positive outlook.
In Pakistan, fluctuations in copper prices directly impact the costs of electrical wiring and cables, construction project budgets, solar and renewable energy installations, and the profitability of scrap recycling businesses. Copper’s crucial role in the global energy transition ensures sustained strong demand moving forward.
Key drivers of copper demand include its exceptional electrical conductivity, corrosion resistance, and recyclability, making it essential across multiple industries. It is fundamental in electrical wiring, power cables, motors, and transformers used in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. The electric vehicle sector is a major growth area, as EVs require significantly more copper than traditional vehicles, especially in motors, batteries, and charging infrastructure.
Renewable energy projects depend heavily on copper for connections in solar panels, wind turbines, and energy storage systems. The construction industry utilizes copper for durable plumbing, roofing, and antimicrobial fittings. Additionally, the expansion of electronics, 5G networks, and AI data centers drives demand through the need for high-speed cabling and circuit boards. Notably, about 80% of all copper ever mined remains in use today due to excellent recycling practices, which helps maintain supply stability amid growing demand.
