Average annual market price of copper 2010-2023

In 2021, the average annual market price of copper peaked at 9,322 U.S. dollars per metric ton, before slightly decreasing in 2022 and 2023, when its average price was 8,478 U.S. dollars. 

Copper consumption

Copper is a base metal that has a wide variety of uses, which makes it an important commodity. Equipment production generally accounts on average for one third of copper consumption, making it the largest global end use of copper. The country with the highest demand for copper as of 2022 was China, with a demand amounting to nearly nine million metric tons of copper. Following China was Europe, with a total demand of just over two million metric tons. 

Copper market prices

The London Metal Exchange and Comex both provide market prices for copper. In 2023, the copper price for the London Metal Exchange was about 390 U.S. cents per pound. The average Comex price in 2022 was estimated to be about 400 U.S. cents per pound.