Trafigura Snaps Up Copper in Asia as China Faces Supply Crunch

Trafigura Group says it is buying large volumes of copper to boost sales into Asia as local supplies run low, fueling a scramble for metal that has pushed regional premiums for spot cargoes to record highs. The Singapore-based trader is among the biggest players in the copper market. Its purchases are intended to support demand in the region amid tighter availability. The company’s activity also highlights intensifying competition among commodities traders as buyers chase limited supply and as prices respond to the imbalance between regional production and consumption. The report does not provide specific purchase quantities, pricing levels, or contract terms, but it ties Trafigura’s strategy directly to the supply crunch affecting China and the wider Asian market.