Copper producers in China, the world’s largest metals consumer, led a return to profit for the nation’s nonferrous-metal industry in March and April, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said today.

The nation’s 71 biggest nonferrous-metal producers posted combined profits of 1.73 billion yuan ($254 million) in March and 1.65 billion yuan in April, the ministry said in a report posted on its Web site. Copper producers have returned to profit while others narrowed losses, the report said.

Copper futures have surged 51 percent in Shanghai this year, recovering from a 59 percent slump in 2008, on speculation of government stockpiling and optimism demand will improve with a stimulus plan. Jiangxi Copper Co., China’s biggest, swung to a first-quarter profit from a loss in the previous three months.