Slow Shipment of Copper Rolled Products at Japanese Wholesalers

Market Research Committee of Tokyo Copper Alloy Products Distributors Association gave market review at press conference on Tuesday that copper rolled product shipment maintained slow at the wholesalers in February. The users in automobile, semiconductor and equipment related fields adjusted their purchasing volume when copper price was unstable. Copper product shipment keeps low in March. The users are purchasing the products as much as immediate usage due to high copper price and output adjustment at the end of fiscal year in March. The Committee expected the demand could recover in May and the annual demand regain high level in fiscal 2007 starting April.In February brass bar shipment was low for equipment and connectors especially in the provinces. Copper tube demand was slow for air conditioners and refrigerant plumbing fixtures. Phosphor bronze shipment was stagnant as total depending on applications including information technology appliances, digital steel cameras and personal computers.