Japan Rolled Cu Output Hits 26-Year Lowest in November

Japanese rolled copper production decreased by 18.6% to 69,460 tonnes in November from a year earlier at a quick estimation, announced Japan Copper & Brass Association on Thursday. The production represented the year-on-year down for 4 months in a row and hit the lowest as November since 1982. The demand sharply declined from automobiles and cellular phones.

Copper strip production decreased by 23.4% to 18,600 tonnes in November from a year ago. The output approached the lowest as November since 16,100 tonnes in 2001 when the economy was slow after the collapse of IT bubble. Copper fabricators’ strip order receipts plunged down in November, when automakers implemented output reductions and the demand declined for automotive connector pins.

By the same reason, brass strip production decreased by 28.4% to 8,280 tonnes in November from a year ago. The output hit the bottom as November since 1974. Production of phosphor bronze sheet and strip was 3,183 tonnes in November, down by 34.1% year-on-year. The demand plunged from cell phones as well as automobiles.

Brass bar production declined by 18.5% to 15,884 tonnes. The output was the lowest as November since 13,959 tonnes in 1975. Construction related demand maintained totally weak such for gas appliances, water taps and industrial valves.

Meanwhile, copper tube production increased by 2% to 12,722 tonnes, which represented year-on-year increase for 2 months in a row. Air conditioner makers seemed to continue high operations thanks to the strong demand in hot summer.