how do I know wholesale prices for copper and aluminium scrap?

Hi everyone!

Does anyone here know the wholesale (5, 10, 20 tonnes) prices for copper and aluminium scrap?

really?

really. What are you surprised with?

There is no whole sale or retail prices on commodities. The price is based on supply and demand and your position on the food chain. The higher up on the chain you are, the more of a gamble you take day to day. There are individuals and companies that buy long, sell short, and bid contracts.

Based on your question it is assumed you are at the bottom of the food chain, just like most of us on the forum. With that said, we are lower than whale sh** on the bottom of the ocean. Therefore your answer is the going price at your local yard. You can find out what the big boys are hedging their bets on with the Iron Age Index. Good luck.

It is kind of odd that someone that potentially has that type of quantity needs to come to a forum to ask what it is worth. The other part that seems odd is that someone with that kind of quantity should know that there are numerous different grades of these metals.

1) My point is that my local yard is selling scrap to a refinery, foundry or whatever with the price higher than it buys. Therefore I'd prefer to sell directly bypassing middleman. That's what I'm asking.

2) I wish I had an answer to my question. Since I don't, I hope someone here can help me.
3) grades - BB

Originally Posted by chameleon

1) My point is that my local yard is selling scrap to a refinery, foundry or whatever with the price higher than it buys. Therefore I'd prefer to sell directly bypassing middleman. That's what I'm asking.

2) I wish I had an answer to my question. Since I don't, I hope someone here can help me.
3) grades - BB

That is a great business strategy, if you have quantity. You have access to many refineries in your area. You might want to call around and get their prices. If you have less than a semi load, do not be disappointed if they are not interested. On the other hand, if you can produce quantities over time, enter into a contract with them.

Thanks for the good advice.
Since I don't have an idea of the market price, calling probably is the only thing I can do.

Originally Posted by beardo

You can get the general commodity scrap prices on various commodity websites. There are several devoted to scrap/metals. Available by google search. That will give you a base line, however there are to many factors that will determine what individual refineries will pay. The big key to all this is if you can supply the volume most companies require and if you can do it cheap enough inside the extra margin.

I don't know what websites I can trust? Do you know any?

"Mr. Wizard get me out of here!"

I always want to bypass the middleman! I don't always get what I want, but I get what I need.

Originally Posted by ccantu

You have to convince the mill that you can be a steady and reliable supplier of a product that perfectly meets their specifications. Then they will offer a price for delivery of said product based on current market conditions. Current meaning up to the minute of establishing the contract for delivery. A lot of high grade copper is done here in the us. You are here in the US right? Prices are based on the Comex or the LME price less a cost of production. In my experience most lower grades are sold to exporters, mainly from China. If you have a lot of scrap copper an exporter will find you, at least in my experience.

Is this a one time deal, or do you produce large quantities of copper?

Yes. I am in the US.

LME-cost of production=...
It makes sense. If I only knew the cost of production...

This is a one time deal.

Cost of production is proprietary. Copper Mill (A) might have better technology than Copper Mill (B), or be closer to their customers, or whatever... so they can pay 2.51 while the other guy pays 2.50. The key is they need suppliers, not "peddlers". If it's a one time thing you should contact a scrap dealer. Provide pictures and invite them to come check out the product. If all is well from a logistical prospective they will be aggressive on the price. It's a competitive business. On BB copper for a one time load of 20 tonnes look for a price .08-.10 short of the Comex if you handle Freight. Less based on up to $4 per mile if they do.

Dealers are more than just middle men. Ultimate consumers of the whatever metal your selling buy known grades with strict classifications to ensure quality. They buy truck load (40K lbs) amounts of either one, two, or several items depending on what product alloys they produce. If you represent a small amount they'd rather not deal with the hassle and possibly upsetting suppliers they value in your area.