Ferrous vs. Non-Ferrous: Which Scrap Metals Are Worth the Most in South Africa Right Now (March 2026 Price Guide)

In March 2026, copper remains the highest-paying scrap metal in South Africa at R120-R160/kg for clean bright wire, followed by brass at R55-R75/kg and aluminium at R18-R25/kg. Ferrous metals like mild steel pay R1.80-R3.00/kg – far less per kilogram, but worth selling in volume. For most individual sellers, non-ferrous metals represent the bulk of any load’s value.

South Group Recycling purchases both ferrous and non-ferrous metals across facilities in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Pretoria, and Durban. Below is a full breakdown of current rates, what drives them, and how to maximise your payout.

What Is Scrap Metal Worth Per kg in South Africa Right Now?

As of March 2026, copper bright wire leads all common scrap categories at R120-R160/kg, while mild steel sits at R1.80-R3.00/kg. According to the London Metal Exchange (LME), commodity prices are benchmarked in USD and updated daily – local ZAR payouts are then calculated against the rand/USD exchange rate (currently R18-R19/USD), adjusted for yard processing margin and local supply and demand.

March 2026 Scrap Metal Price Table

The table below covers current pricing across both ferrous and non-ferrous categories. These are market-rate estimates – your actual payout depends on grade assessment, volume, and material condition at the time of sale.

How the Rand/USD Rate Affects Your Payout

Non-ferrous metals are priced globally in USD, so rand weakness works in sellers’ favour. At R18-R19/USD, a kilogram of copper that clears $5 on international markets translates to R90-R95 before yard margin – stronger ZAR returns than sellers were seeing at R15-R16/USD two years ago. This dynamic is one reason March 2026 is a particularly solid time to sell copper and aluminium.

What Is the Difference Between Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Scrap Metal?

The key difference is iron: ferrous metals contain iron and are magnetic, while non-ferrous metals contain no iron and are non-magnetic – and this distinction directly determines what your scrap is worth per kilogram.

Ferrous Metals: High Volume, Lower Unit Price

Ferrous metals include mild steel, cast iron, wrought iron, and carbon steel. These materials are common in construction, engineering, and manufacturing – structural beams, pipes, car bodies, and appliances are all typically ferrous. Because iron is abundant and ferrous scrap volumes are enormous globally, the price per kilogram stays low. The economics here are driven by tonnage, not unit value.

Non-Ferrous Metals: Lower Volume, Higher Return

Non-ferrous metals include copper, aluminium, brass, lead, zinc, and stainless steel. These materials are rarer, more energy-intensive to produce, and in stronger global demand – which pushes per-kilogram prices significantly higher. A kilogram of clean copper is worth roughly 50-70 times more than a kilogram of mild steel at current rates.

The Magnet Test

Hold a magnet against your metal. If it sticks firmly, it’s ferrous. If it doesn’t stick, you’re likely dealing with a non-ferrous material. Note that some grades of stainless steel show a weak magnetic response but are still classified as non-ferrous – if in doubt, bring it in for assessment.

For most individual sellers, the non-ferrous portion of a mixed load accounts for the majority of the payout even when it represents a fraction of the total weight. Sorting before you arrive at a yard is the simplest way to ensure you are paid the correct rate for each category.

Which Scrap Metal Pays the Most – Copper, Aluminium or Steel?

Copper pays the most per kilogram by a significant margin, followed by brass, then aluminium. Steel sits at the bottom of the per-kilogram scale, though it can still generate meaningful returns when sold in tonne quantities.

Copper: The Clear Leader

Copper’s dominance comes down to global demand. The electrification of transport, the rollout of solar and wind infrastructure, and grid expansion across developing markets have pushed copper demand to multi-year highs while supply has not kept pace. Clean copper bright wire at R120-R160/kg is the most valuable commodity most individuals will ever bring to a yard.

Copper Grade Matters

Clean, stripped bright wire commands the top rate. Insulated cable, burnt copper, or wire with solder joints and brass fittings is assessed as mixed grade and pays R90-R120/kg. Stripping cable before selling – even with a basic stripper tool – can meaningfully increase your payout.

Aluminium: Rising Demand in 2026

Aluminium is gaining momentum this year. Demand for low-carbon aluminium is rising across European markets as manufacturers look to reduce their exposure to the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which adds carbon costs to primary aluminium imports. According to the International Aluminium Institute, recycled aluminium produces roughly 95% lower greenhouse gas emissions than primary smelted material – making clean SA scrap increasingly attractive as a low-carbon input for EU-bound manufacturers. Read more about how CBAM is affecting aluminium scrap demand. Clean extrusion and sheet currently pays R18-R25/kg, with mixed or cast grades at R12-R18/kg.

Steel: Ferrous Volume Play

Mild steel pays R1.80-R3.00/kg for heavy melting grades – low per kilogram, but a tonne of heavy steel still earns R1,800-R3,000, and industrial operations regularly sell 10-50 tonnes at a time. South Group Recycling handles both small loads and large commercial tonnages across all SA locations.

For detailed guidance on preparing copper, aluminium, and brass for sale, see our guide on best practices for selling non-ferrous metals.

Why Is My Scrap Worth Less Than the Price I See Online?

Online prices reflect LME commodity spot rates – the price of refined, investment-grade metal traded between global buyers. Scrap yards pay a percentage of that refined value, not the spot price itself, because processing, transport, grading, and operating margin all come out of that gap.

The LME Gap Explained

According to the London Metal Exchange, copper traded at approximately $9,500 per tonne in March 2026. At R18.50/USD, that equates to roughly R175/kg. A yard paying R120-R160/kg for clean bright wire is paying 68-91% of the equivalent refined price – and the gap covers collection, sorting, testing, baling, transport to a smelter or export facility, and the yard’s operating costs. This is industry-standard practice in every scrap market globally.

Common Reasons Your Payout Is Lower Than Expected

Grade Downgrading

What you bring in as “copper” may be assessed as “mixed” if it contains solder joints, brass fittings, or insulation. A mixed copper load pays R90-R120/kg rather than R120-R160/kg. Removing attachments before you arrive saves assessment time and earns you the higher rate.

Moisture and Contamination

Yards pay for metal content, not moisture. Wet steel, dirty aluminium, or materials stored with soil and debris all weigh more than their clean metal content. Dry and clean loads receive more accurate – and higher – assessments.

Mixed Loads

A bag of copper wire mixed with brass fittings and light steel will typically be assessed at the lowest-value metal in the mix unless it is separated. Using a trusted scrap yard near me that explains its grading process clearly helps you understand exactly what you are being paid and why.

Is It Worth Selling Scrap Metal in South Africa in 2026?

Yes – and for most non-ferrous metals, March 2026 is a particularly strong window. Copper, brass, and aluminium are all benefiting from strong global demand and rand weakness that amplifies ZAR returns above historical averages.

What Is Driving Strong Prices Right Now?

Rand Weakness

With USD/ZAR at R18-R19, every dollar of international commodity price translates to more rand than it did at R15-R16/USD two years ago. Sellers of USD-priced non-ferrous metals are directly benefiting from this dynamic.

Copper and Aluminium Demand

Both metals are seeing structural demand increases. Copper is driven by EV adoption, solar infrastructure, and grid upgrades. Aluminium is gaining ground as European buyers seek low-carbon inputs to reduce CBAM certificate costs – a trend gradually pushing aluminium scrap demand upward across the chain.

Ferrous Headwinds

Global steel overcapacity – largely driven by high Chinese export volumes – is keeping ferrous prices under pressure in 2026. Mild steel and cast iron are still worth selling in volume, but the ZAR premium amplification that non-ferrous metals enjoy does not apply to the same degree.

How to Maximise Your Payout Before You Sell

Sort your metals by type – never mix ferrous and non-ferrous in the same load. Strip copper cable where practical, and remove brass fittings, steel bolts, and attachments from non-ferrous items. Avoid moisture: do not store metals in open areas where they can collect water before sale. Check your weight independently on larger loads to have a baseline for comparison against the yard’s weighbridge ticket.

Finding a licensed, transparent buyer matters as much as timing. A reliable scrap metal near me search should return yards that issue proper documentation, grade material clearly, and offer consistent pricing. South Group Recycling provides all of the above across Johannesburg, Cape Town, Pretoria, and Durban, with free collection available on qualifying loads.

The Bottom Line on SA Scrap Prices – March 2026

Non-ferrous metals – copper, brass, and aluminium – deliver the highest value per kilogram and are trading well in March 2026. Ferrous metals like steel pay less per kilogram but remain worth selling in volume. Sorting correctly, removing attachments, and choosing a transparent, licensed buyer are the three most reliable ways to improve your payout regardless of what you are selling.