Shanghai copper stocks seen down 6 percent on week

SHANGHAI, June 27 (Reuters) - Copper inventories monitored by the Shanghai Futures Exchange are seen falling about 6 percent or 2,000 tonnes this week, with some in the market expecting a smaller decline of 1,000 tonnes, trade sources said on Friday.

A survey of five traders and analysts showed an average forecast of a fall of around 2,000 tonnes when stockpile data for the week ended on Thursday is released by the exchange after the market closes on Friday. <0#SGH-STOCKS>.

The expected drop would be the sixth in a row since mid-May, and mirrors relatively tight supply in China's physical market due to shrinking imports as Shanghai futures prices have lagged a surge in London.

"You lose about 7,000 yuan per tonne if you buy in London and sell in Shanghai today," a Shanghai-based analyst said.

Shanghai copper prices were steady on Friday, but lagged London's 1.75 percent overnight gain. Year-to-date, LME copper has risen 26 percent compared with a 9.5 percent rise in Shanghai.

Last week, stocks fell 575 tonnes to 33,417 tonnes -- enough for around three days of domestic consumption.

Some traders said stockpiles in Shanghai could show a small increase this week, as demand is still soft.

"People are working hand-to-mouth. No one wants to make big commitments, so people will send in trucks and pick up a few tonnes. Either side of flat is how I see it," a trader in Shanghai said. (Additional reporting by Nick Trevethan in Singapore) (Reporting by Alfred Cang; Editing by Tomasz Janowski)