Sofeast’s team continues to monitor the cost evolution of key raw materials in China, helping importers and manufacturers stay informed.
This latest update from the market analysts we work with reflects changes in RMB costs and percentages over the past year through June 27, 2026. Click the charts to expand them.
Monthly China Raw Material Cost Changes – June 2026
Copper (电解铜) – Monthly Change: -1.83%
Copper prices declined moderately during June, including a sharper fall during the latest week.
- Drivers
Copper prices broke lower, encouraging some downstream buyers to purchase at the reduced price. The narrowing difference between refined and recycled copper also helped release demand for refined copper rods. - Outlook (next week)
Lower prices may stimulate further downstream consumption, while refined copper rod production rates could increase. However, copper prices may continue trending downward within a limited range in the short term.
ABS (AG-15E1 宁波台化) – Monthly Change: -9.95%
ABS recorded the largest monthly decline among the conventional manufacturing materials tracked in this update.
- Drivers
Weak market fundamentals, broader commodity price pressure, and limited transactions continued to push ABS prices downward. - Outlook (next week)
Costs are expected to remain low and weak. With the supply-and-demand structure continuing to deteriorate, ABS prices may decline slightly further.
Silicone (110) – Monthly Change: -2.14%
Domestic 110 silicone rubber prices fell in June after remaining stable for much of the previous month.
- Drivers
The price of DMC raw material continued to fall, weakening cost support for silicone rubber. Supply remained relatively strong while downstream demand was weak, reducing sellers’ bargaining power and encouraging competitive pricing. - Outlook (next week)
Both cost-side and demand-side support remain weak. Inventory pressure may encourage manufacturers to pursue orders more aggressively, so the risk of further price declines remains relatively high.
Zinc Alloy (Zamak 5) – Monthly Change: -2.17%
Zinc alloy prices declined during June as the price of electrolytic zinc moved lower.
- Drivers
Electrolytic zinc prices fluctuated downward, reducing the average market price. Expectations of tighter monetary conditions also weakened market sentiment. - Outlook (next week)
Macroeconomic uncertainty may continue to influence the market. In the short term, zinc prices appear more likely to remain under downward pressure.
Aluminum Alloy (ADC 12, Jiangsu) – Monthly Change: +1.56%
Aluminium alloy was the only material in this update to record a monthly increase, although prices fell slightly during the latest week.
- Drivers
Prices remained above their May level despite a late-month pullback. Several bearish factors placed pressure on aluminium during the latest week and caused prices to retreat from their earlier highs. - Outlook (next week)
Macroeconomic conditions may improve, creating the possibility of a narrow rebound. However, further volatility is likely.
Paper for Colour Boxes (157 g, Double-Coated) – Monthly Change: -2.11%
Double-coated paper prices continued their gradual downward trend during June, although the tracked price was unchanged in the latest week.
- Drivers
Industry production capacity declined, narrowing supply. Publishing orders entered a stronger collection period, easing delivery pressure for some mills, but demand for general commercial orders remained weak. - Outlook (next week)
Production levels are unlikely to change significantly. Factory quotations may begin to stabilise, while the cost of distributors’ existing inventory could provide some support for prices and orders.
Stainless Steel (304/2B 0.4 mm, Taiyuan) – Monthly Change: 0.00%
The tracked stainless steel price was unchanged over the month, despite some fluctuations in the wider spot and futures markets.
- Drivers
Changing market news caused spot prices to follow movements in stainless steel futures. However, the benchmark price tracked in this report remained stable. - Outlook (next week)
The short-term contest between bullish and bearish factors is expected to continue. The market may trade within a relatively weak and narrow range.
Battery Materials (Lithium Cobalt Oxides) – Monthly Change: -6.67%
The tracked lithium cobalt oxide price fell substantially during June and was down by a further 3.19% during the latest week.
- Drivers
Broader cathode and ternary precursor markets were relatively stable, but increasing raw material availability continued to weaken cost pressure. More MHP production capacity has returned to the market, while the expected increase in lithium salt supply has reduced the potential for further cost increases. - Outlook (next month’s orders)
Future prices will depend on downstream demand from the new-energy sector and fluctuations in key raw materials. Overall supply remains relatively relaxed, so upward price momentum is likely to remain limited.
How to combat rising costs?
Explore cost-reducing tips in this post: Rising Raw Material Prices: What Strategy To Follow? (6 Approaches).
What to do if your Chinese supplier suddenly tells you that material costs have risen: How To Cooperate With Your Chinese Supplier, Part 16: Bad News from China, Raw Material Prices Just Increased!
If your supplier just isn’t working out, maybe sourcing a new supplier will help you find one who can offer you better prices and more. If so, there’s no need to fear switching from your current supplier to a new one if you’re prepared: How To Switch To A Newer, Better Chinese Manufacturer? [eBook].
We hope this is helpful. Our mission at Sofeast is to provide importers with transparency in their supply chain and to give them greater control. And this information is crucial for gaining visibility into your manufacturer’s costing.
By the way, you can always contact us if you have any questions about whether a manufacturer’s quote is reasonable or not.
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