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Copper futures hit record highs as AI data centers spark a global supply crunch
Economy
Published on 13 May 2026
AI demand is now outpacing traditional manufacturing drivers
Copper prices are surging in 2026, pushing COMEX above $6.50 per pound and copper futures past $14,000 per ton. The move is increasingly tied to AI data center construction, not just standard manufacturing demand. China’s factory recovery, sulfuric acid shortages in the Middle East, and tighter mine supply are intensifying a global copper crunch.
- Copper futures and COMEX prices have broken record levels in 2026
- AI data center buildouts are becoming a major demand driver
- Supply constraints include tighter mine output and sulfuric acid shortages
- China’s recovery is adding pressure to an already strained market
Read the full story at The Economic Times
This summarization was done by Beige for a story published on 
The Economic Times