Chile Redirects Copper Cathodes: U.S. Takes 62% Share in September as China’s Imports Plummet by 54%

Original article: Chile redirige sus cátodos de cobre: EE.UU. absorbe el 62% en septiembre y China cae un 54%

Chilean cathode exports reached 121,900 tons in September, marking a 24.94% month-over-month increase; the United States accounted for 61.76% of shipments, while China’s share dwindled to 8.50% of the total.

Santiago, Oct. 19 — Chile exported 121,900 tons of copper cathodes in September 2026, representing a 24.94% increase from August and a 4.44% rise compared to the same month last year, according to customs data from the South American country. However, this aggregate figure hides a significant reorientation of destinations: the United States has solidified its position as the leading buyer, absorbing nearly two-thirds of the total, while China’s participation has drastically decreased.

Shipments to the United States totaled 75,311 tons, accounting for 61.76% of total cathode exports. This volume reflects a 38.38% month-over-month increase and a 66.51% year-over-year rise, establishing the U.S. market as the dominant destination for the month.

Brazil ranked second, with 15,947 tons, representing 13.08% of the total, following an 11.28% month-over-month growth and a 4.72% year-over-year increase. Meanwhile, China imported 10,362 tons, merely 8.50% of total exports, experiencing an 11.03% month-over-month decline and a staggering 53.68% year-over-year drop.

With these figures, the United States, Brazil, and China together accounted for 83.33% of Chile’s total copper cathode exports in September. The composition of trade flows confirms a shift in Chilean cathode commerce towards the U.S. and Brazil, to the detriment of China, which has traditionally been one of the main destinations for refined Chilean copper.

The September data underscores Chile’s growing dependency on a single market for its cathodes: the United States represented more than six out of ten exported tons. This concentration exposes the country to regulatory or demand changes in the U.S., while the sharp decline in shipments to China diminishes diversification in the export portfolio.

El Ciudadano