Copper concentrate production volume in India FY 2012-2024

The production volume of copper concentrate in India was estimated to be about 111,680 metric tons in the financial year 2023-24. 

Indian copper production and demand

Over the past five years, India's copper concentrates production has declined from a high of 143,670 metric tons in financial year 2019, to a low of 108,720 metric tons in financial year 2021. The value of India's production of copper concentrates amounted to an estimated 10.95 billion rupees in financial year 2022. Copper ore production in India has similarly decreased, from a high of 4.13 million metric tons in financial year 2019, to a low of 3.27 million metric tons in financial year 2021. Meanwhile, the copper demand in India amounted to some 918,520 metric tons in 2021, up from 805,170 metric tons the year prior.

Copper imports to India

Despite the increased demand and growth of the sector in the country, domestic companies are having a tough time in keeping up with the cheap imports of refined copper from Japan and other countries. The free trade agreements can lead to the south Asian country’s own sector to become redundant if the import of duty-free copper continues. However, the industry has seen hope in the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative and its attempt in balancing the scales. As of 2021, India was the world's sixth-largest copper ore importing country, with the total value of copper ore imports amounting to 2.52 billion U.S. dollars.