Copper Price Per Kg: Today’s Rates, Scrap Value & Forecast

If you have ever stood at a scrapyard with a bag of copper pipe and wondered what the recorded price means, that confusion is justified because copper prices in Ireland vary by grade, date, and local demand. This guide compares the reported copper price per kg in Ireland, separates premium copper grades from mixed grades, and gives you a pre-sale checklist.

Current scrap copper price (Dublin): €9.90/kg · COMEX spot: $6.80/lb · India: ₹348.10/kg · Highest paying scrap: Copper

What is the price of scrap copper per kg in Ireland right now?

If you search “copper price per kg Ireland,” you will see quotes from about €6.90 to €12. That spread is not a typo. The published figure depends on the grade, the part of Ireland where the yard is, and how recently the tracker updated its page.

• Typical copper scrap: €10–€12/kg, according to ScrapPriceToday.
• No.1 copper pipe: €9.00–€10.00/kg, reported by Scrap Copper Prices Dublin.
• Mixed copper: €7.75–€9.50/kg, reported by Scrap Copper Prices Dublin.
• Top-grade copper in one metal merchant update: approaching €6.90/kg, according to Oran Metal Group.

The important point is that these are not competing forecasts. They are different snapshots of a fast-moving local market.

The implication: always verify the specific grade and date before relying on any single figure.

Why does the copper price per kg change with grade?

Scrapyards do not buy “copper” as one material. They buy copper content, contamination, and how much work it takes to process the metal into something a mill will accept.

• No.1 copper pipe is clean, uncoated, heavy-gauge copper. That is the premium grade.
• Mixed copper includes lighter material, fittings, and more impurities. That is why it trades at a discount.

The catch: the gap between pipe and mixed is not haggling noise. It is the yard pricing in sorting time, contaminants, and the risk that the metal will not meet the end buyer’s specification.

How does copper compare with other scrap metals in Ireland?

Copper is consistently one of the most valuable metals on Irish scrap pages. The comparison that matters for most households is between copper grades, rather than copper compared with steel or aluminium.

That table shows why “copper price per kg” is not a single number. If you sell without knowing which grade you are holding, you will almost certainly be quoted from the lower end of the range.

How much is 1kg of copper worth?

At current scrap rates in Ireland, 1kg of clean copper pipe is worth roughly €9–€10 at a scrapyard. That’s based on the No.1 copper pipe range from Scrap Copper Prices Dublin. For mixed copper, the same kg falls to €7.75–€9.50. Globally, COMEX copper trades around $6.80 per pound, which equates to about $14.99 per kg.

What is the price of 5kg of copper?

A 5kg load of clean typical copper scrap at €10–€12/kg would be worth €50–€60. The same weight as mixed copper would bring €39–€47.50.

What is the price of 500g of copper?

At €10/kg, 500g is worth €5.00. For No.1 pipe at €9.50/kg (midpoint), 500g = €4.75.

Copper price per kg in UK and euro

UK scrap copper prices are broadly similar – typically £7–£9 per kg for bright copper, fluctuating with global markets. Eurozone prices mirror Irish ranges but can vary by country.

How can you check today’s scrap copper price and get the best per-kg rate?

Start with a price tracker, then use a phone call before you make the trip.

1. Sort clean copper pipe from mixed copper.
2. Check a published tracker for the most recently published ranges.
3. Call the yard and ask for the specific grade you are holding, not just “copper”.
4. Ask whether the quoted price is per kg and whether it assumes clean, dry material.
5. Compare two local quotes before you accept the first price.

For a typical household selling a few kilograms, the best way to raise your effective rate is to show the yard you know the grade and have checked the current published range.

Is scrapping copper worth it?

Yes, if you have a clean, sorted load. Copper consistently ranks as the highest paying scrap metal in Ireland, with prices reaching €9.90/kg for bright wire. After sorting and a short trip, the cash back is meaningful.

What’s the highest paying scrap metal right now?

Copper leads the pack, followed by brass and aluminium. In Dublin, bright copper wire tops out at €9.90/kg, while mixed copper lags at €7.75–€9.50/kg.

How to get the best scrap copper price

Sort your copper, check live trackers, phone ahead, and ask for the exact grade price. A second call can make a difference of €1–€2 per kg.

What’s next for copper prices in Ireland? Forecast vs reality

There is no reliable public forecast that tells you when to sell copper next month. The honest answer is that published scrap prices are market snapshots, not predictions.

Oran Metal Group described the Irish scrap market as being at an all-time high and reported top Irish copper prices approaching €6.90/kg. That figure is lower than some tracker ranges because the grade and the date are different.

TradingEconomics publishes copper charts and historical data, but it does not tell you what will happen in Dublin next week. For a small seller, the next meaningful number is not a global forecast; it is the quote you can get today.

Is copper going to skyrocket?

Long-term demand from electrification and green energy is strong. Copper rose 9% after the Iran war in 2026, nearing its January peak. But short-term volatility remains. For a household seller, the risk of waiting for a higher price often outweighs the reward.

Copper price forecast 2026–2030

Analysts expect continued upward pressure due to supply constraints and decarbonisation. However, no source in this guide offers a specific price target. The most prudent approach is to sell when the local yard confirms a fair price against published ranges.

What will be the price of 1kg of copper in 2030?

Projections vary wildly. Copper could be €15–€25/kg in 2030 if green energy demand outpaces supply, but that is speculation. No reliable forecast exists for Irish scrap rates that far out.

Will copper replace gold as a safe haven?

No. Copper is an industrial commodity driven by economic cycles, while gold is a monetary asset. Both have risen, but for different reasons. Compare the investment profiles in the next section.

Is copper the next gold?

Copper and gold serve different roles. Copper prices are more sensitive to global manufacturing and construction; gold is a store of value. In 2026, copper has outperformed many assets, but it is not a substitute for gold in a portfolio.

Copper vs gold investment characteristics

Copper: cyclical, industrial demand, volatile. Gold: stable, monetary hedge, low correlation to equities. The two can coexist but are not interchangeable.

Price volatility comparison

Copper’s 12-month change as of September 2026 is +42.99% (per TradingEconomics). Gold rose more moderately. Copper’s volatility is higher, offering both risk and opportunity.

Industrial demand vs precious metal store of value

Copper’s price is driven by factories and power grids. Gold’s by central banks and fear. For a small seller, copper’s value is immediate cash; gold is a long-term hold. For related reading, see Gold Rate in India Today: 22K, 24K Prices.

How many pounds of copper do you need to make $100?

At the COMEX spot price of $6.80 per pound, you need about 14.7 pounds of pure copper to get $100 in raw metal value. Scrap yards pay less – typically 60–80% of spot – so you might need closer to 18–20 pounds of scrap to reach $100.

Calculating copper scrap value per pound

Multiply scrap price per pound (e.g., $3.50–$4.50 for typical copper scrap) by weight. For 14.7 lbs at $6.80/lb, the scrap payout would be around $60–$70 after yard deductions.

Current price per pound in USD

COMEX: $6.80/lb. LME: similar. Irish scrap: about €4.30–€5.00/lb (converting €9–€11/kg).

Example for different grades

Bright wire scrap (Dublin): €9.90/kg = ~€4.50/lb. Mixed copper: €7.75/kg = ~€3.51/lb. At those rates, to earn $100 you’d need about 22 pounds of mixed copper or 17 pounds of bright wire.

What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear about scrap copper prices

Confirmed:

• Irish trackers report typical copper prices around €10–€12/kg – ScrapPriceToday.
• No.1 copper pipe is quoted at €9–€10/kg – Scrap Copper Prices Dublin.
• Mixed copper is quoted at €7.75–€9.50/kg – Scrap Copper Prices Dublin.
• One Irish metal merchant reports a copper price approaching €6.90/kg – Oran Metal Group.

Still unclear:

• Exact scrapyard quote in your town.
• Whether a website price is for clean copper before or after sorting.
• Where the Irish copper price goes next.

What the price trackers are saying

“Typical copper range: roughly €10 to €12 per kg.”

— ScrapPriceToday

“No.1 copper pipe at €9.00 to €10.00 per kg.”

— Scrap Copper Prices Dublin

“Top Irish market copper prices approaching €6.90 per kg.”

— Oran Metal Group

The takeaway

Scrap copper is one of the few household materials that can still put meaningful cash in your pocket after one trip to the yard. The real opportunity is not predicting the market; it is showing up with the right grade and comparing current published prices first. Weigh it, sort it, check the price range, call ahead, and sell when the yard confirms the number.

For more on property investment, see Houses for Sale in Auckland Under $500,000: Budget Suburbs & Tips.

Frequently asked questions about copper scrap prices