Japan Electric Wire Shipment Drops by 5% in 2008

Japanese electric wire shipment decreased by 5% to 815,750 tonnes in copper volume in 2008 from 2007, according to report for around 130 members of Japan Electric Wire & Cable Makers’ Association. The shipment for construction and wholesalers, which represents more than 40% of total shipment, decreased by around 10%. The shipment for the year to March 2009 could decrease more due to sharp slowdown for activity in electric machinery and automobile.

The shipment decreased by 9.1% to 344,564 tonnes for construction and wholesalers in 2008 from 2007. The shipment was low level due to slower demand along with the buyers’ reluctance in buying with plunging copper market.

The shipment increased by 1% to 92,042 tonnes for automobile in 2008 from 2007. The shipment was firm in January-June but the volume hit first year on year decrease in October in 14 months. The shipment decreased by 31.4% in December from a year earlier after 10.8% and 22% drop in October and November. The shipment for electric machinery also decreased by 28.2% in December from a year earlier after 24.2% drop in November.