Japan Electric Cable Shipment Increases by 0.6% in January-June

Japanese copper electric wire and cable shipment increased by 0.6% to 333,377 tonnes of copper consumption in January-June from same period of last year, according to Japanese Electric Wire & Cable Makers’ Association. The shipment showed two-digit increase year-on-year increase for constructions while the shipment decreased by around 30% for automobile. The optical fiber products shipment decreased by 12.9% to 15.261 million kilometers of fiber core (kmf) due to export slowdown.

The shipment for constructions showed year-on-year increase since middle of 2010 and the users increased speculative buying with expectation for supply shortage after the major earthquake through the middle of May.

On the other hand, the shipment for automobile significantly decreased in January-June from same period of last year. The shipment turned downward after the end of subsidy for eco-friendly car purchase in October 2010 and car output significantly decreased after the quake. The shipment decreased by 35% to 11,682 tonnes in April-June from same period of last year.

The optical fiber products export decreased by 23.5% to 10.565 kmf in January-June from same period of last year, which showed year-on-year decrease since July-December 2010. Industry sources see the export decreased due to local procurement and higher yen exchange rate.