Copper Price per kg Today: Live Chart & Ireland Scrap Rates

Copper has rarely been this expensive — and for anyone sitting on a pile of scrap wiring or simply watching the markets, the numbers are hard to ignore. As of mid-April 2026, the global benchmark sits around $13.15 per kilogram, with regional scrap yards in Ireland quoting rates that reflect both the global surge and local market quirks. This piece maps out what copper is fetching right now, where Ireland-specific prices stand, and what analysts expect for the rest of the year.

Global Copper Price per kg: 13.15 USD · Copper per lb: 6.05 USD · Scrap Copper Ireland: €6.90/kg · Monthly Rise: 11.29%

How much is 1 kg of copper worth today?

As of mid-April 2026, the global spot price for refined copper is sitting at approximately $13.15 per kilogram — roughly $5.97 per pound — according to aggregated market data. That figure puts the metal near the upper end of a range that has seesawed dramatically over the past six months. Copper crossed $6 per pound for the first time in history during the first quarter, driven by a toxic cocktail of tariff uncertainty, tightening mine supply, and surging demand from energy-transition sectors.

The London Metal Exchange (LME) — the primary global benchmark for industrial metals pricing — saw three-month copper drop below $12,000 per metric tonne on March 20, 2026, a technical signal that alarmed traders even as the underlying fundamentals remained supportive. S&P Global’s market intelligence division notes that global inventories stood above 1.3 million tonnes in March 2026, a historically high buffer that temporarily cooled spot prices.

Live chart tracking is available through Trading Economics and the LME’s own data portal, both of which update in near-real-time during trading hours. For quick reference: multiply the price-per-pound figure by 2.20462 to get the per-kilogram equivalent.

The takeaway: copper has been on a volatile but structurally upward trajectory since late 2025. The March dip was real, but the recovery toward $6+ per pound in April confirms the market hasn’t abandoned its bullish bias.

How much is copper per kg in Ireland?

For Irish scrap yards and small-scale sellers, the more relevant figure is what you can actually get paid today — and that depends on whether you’re selling clean bare copper or mixed scrap. Current quotes from Irish scrap yards list scrap copper at approximately €6.90 per kilogram, a rate that tracks the broader European trend but with a margin that reflects logistics costs, transport disruption between Ireland and mainland Europe, and local competition.

Germany serves as a useful regional proxy. IndexBox, a commodity data firm, recorded copper scrap wholesale prices in Germany rising by EUR15–20 per 100 kilograms in early 2026. For Irish sellers, that translates roughly to €0.15–0.20 per kilogram of additional upward pressure since Germany is the nearest large scrap-processing hub. Ireland itself imported just US$88 worth of copper waste and scrap in 2023 according to UN COMTRADE data via Trading Economics — a figure that reflects the country’s small scale relative to industrial giants like Germany or the United States.

For Dublin and Cork specifically, prices cluster around that €6.90/kg mark for unprocessed (dirty) scrap, while clean, hand-peeled copper — the premium grade — can command significantly more. The Netherlands, for instance, lists hand-peeled scrap copper at €9.15/kg according to aggregated EU scrap listings. Irish yards tend to price somewhere between the German floor and Dutch ceiling, depending on grade and volume.

The catch: there is no single national Irish scrap copper exchange with real-time published prices. Quotes vary yard-by-yard, and the only reliable path to the best rate remains phoning two or three local yards directly.

How high will copper go in 2026?

Analysts are not shying away from bold numbers. J.P. Morgan’s global commodities research team projects copper reaching $12,500 per metric tonne in Q2 2026, with a full-year 2026 average of $12,075/t. S&P Global is even more optimistic, forecasting the 2026 average LME copper price above $12,100/t. Both banks anchor their models on a structural supply deficit: the International Copper Study Group (ICSG) reports a 380,000 metric tonne refined copper surplus in 2025 — but that is expected to flip into a 330,000 metric tonne deficit in 2026.

Goldman Sachs, historically cautious on metals, has also moved to the bullish camp. Their research team forecasts an LME copper average of $10,710/t for H1 2026, with a trading range of $10,000–$11,000/t during that period. The bank’s analysis flags US tariffs on refined copper imports — a decision expected by June 2026 and potentially set at 25% — as a key upside risk.

Where can I check live copper prices?

Several platforms provide real-time copper pricing data that update during market hours. Trading Economics offers a copper commodity page that tracks the current price in USD per pound, historical charts, and monthly performance metrics. The LME also publishes its own copper data portal with three-month forward prices and inventory levels. For European scrap-specific quotes, aggregated sites like MercatoMetalli and IndexBox track regional variations across EU markets. Live chart tracking is available through Trading Economics and the LME’s own data portal, both of which update in near-real-time during trading hours.

How to sell 1 kg of copper?

Selling scrap copper in Ireland typically requires visiting a local scrap yard, where prices are quoted per kilogram based on grade. Clean, unoxidized copper commands the highest rates — sometimes significantly above the dirty scrap price. The process involves sorting your material, calling ahead to confirm the yard’s current rate, and bringing valid identification. For those with larger quantities, some yards offer collection services. The only reliable path to the best rate remains phoning two or three local yards directly.

What factors affect copper prices?

Copper prices respond to a combination of macroeconomic, supply-side, and demand factors. On the supply side, mine output disruptions, ore grade declines, and geopolitical risks in major producing nations can tighten availability rapidly. On the demand side, the energy transition — electric vehicles, renewable infrastructure, and grid upgrades — has created structurally higher consumption expectations. Tariff policies, particularly US import duties on refined copper, add another layer of price uncertainty. Currency fluctuations also matter: a weaker US dollar typically supports higher copper prices in dollar-denominated markets.

Is the copper price going up or down?

The near-term trend remains upward despite volatility. Copper rose 11.29% in the month leading up to mid-April 2026, recovering from a March dip that saw prices fall to $5.55/lb before rebounding past $6/lb. Year-to-date, the metal is up roughly 27.77%, reflecting a sustained bullish bias driven by supply constraints and energy-transition demand. The pattern suggests higher floors on pullbacks, with each dip attracting fresh buying interest.

Is copper worth more, clean or dirty?

Clean copper consistently commands a higher price than dirty or mixed scrap. The premium reflects lower processing costs for buyers — clean, bare copper can be directly melted without additional sorting or decontamination. In Ireland, dirty scrap copper trades around €6.90/kg, while clean, hand-peeled copper can fetch significantly more depending on grade and volume. The Netherlands lists hand-peeled scrap copper at €9.15/kg according to aggregated EU scrap listings, suggesting the premium can exceed €2/kg above dirty scrap rates.

How much is 1 kg of copper in euros?

Converting copper prices between USD and EUR depends on the exchange rate at the time of transaction. At mid-April 2026 rates, the global spot price of approximately $13.15/kg translates to roughly €12.10/kg when using prevailing EUR/USD rates. For Irish scrap sellers, the relevant figure is the local euro quote: approximately €6.90/kg for dirty scrap copper, with clean grades fetching more depending on buyer specifications and current market conditions.

“J.P. Morgan Global Research sees copper prices reaching $12,500/mt in the second quarter of 2026, with the full-year 2026 average tracking at $12,075/mt as structural supply deficits deepen.”

— J.P. Morgan Global Research commodity outlook

“Goldman Sachs forecasts an LME copper average of $10,710/t for H1 2026, with US tariff decisions expected by June 2026 as a key upside catalyst.”

— Goldman Sachs commodity research