Copper prices surpass $12,000, with a potential rise to $15,000 due to supply shortages in 2026

Copper trading at the London Metal Exchange has reached a level of $12,044 per ton, attracting attention among market participants. This rise is driven by mine shutdowns and disruptions in international trade routes, clearly highlighting supply-side instability directly impacting prices.

Preemptive Buying in the US

The US manufacturing sector is strengthening its efforts to secure copper in advance, anticipating the potential implementation of new tariffs by the new administration. This proactive procurement stance is further tightening an already strained supply environment, contributing to a disruption in the overall market’s supply and demand balance.

Bullish Outlook from Expert Institutions

Analysis from several major financial institutions predicts that the copper price will increase by 36% year-over-year in 2025, potentially marking the largest annual rise since the Lehman Shock in 2009. Deutsche Bank and Morgan Stanley warn that a supply shortage of 600,000 tons of copper could materialize by 2026, indicating a continued structural supply-demand imbalance.

Citygroup analysts suggest that copper prices could reach $15,000 per ton within the next 12 months, representing significant upside from the current level of $12,000.

Shift in Interest Toward Alternative Assets

Amid rising volatility in the metals market, interest in the altcoin market as an alternative investment vehicle to traditional commodity trading is also increasing, reflecting investors’ efforts to diversify their portfolios. As supply constraints are expected to persist, the movements of market participants are likely to have ripple effects across the entire commodity market.