US absorbs 61.76% of Chile’s copper cathode exports, says elciudadano.com

On October 19, 2026, customs data released from Santiago showed that Chile exported 121,900 tons of copper cathodes in September, marking a 24.94% increase from August. Amid this growth, the United States absorbed nearly two-thirds of the total volume while shipments to China fell by more than half, elciudadano.com reported.

United States Absorbs Majority of September Exports

The United States established itself as the primary destination for Chilean copper cathodes during the month, taking in 75,311 tons. This shipment volume accounted for 61.76% of the total export output. The figure represents a 38.38% increase compared to August and a 66.51% jump from the same month in the previous year. Brazil secured the second-largest share, receiving 15,947 tons or 13.08% of the total, following an 11.28% monthly increase and a 4.72% annual rise.

China Records Steep Import Decline

In contrast to the surge in North American demand, shipments to China dropped significantly. China received 10,362 tons in September, which represents 8.50% of total Chilean copper cathode exports. This volume marks an 11.03% decrease from August and a 53.68% collapse compared to September of the previous year. Together, the United States, Brazil, and China accounted for 83.33% of Chile’s total copper cathode export volume for the month.

US Imports Drive Growing Market Concentration

The September customs figures highlight a pronounced redirection of trade away from historically major Asian markets toward the Western Hemisphere. With the United States accounting for more than six out of every ten exported tons, the data points to a growing market concentration. Such heavy reliance on a single buyer leaves exporters increasingly vulnerable to regulatory adjustments or domestic demand fluctuations within the US market.