Japanese rolled copper output decreased by 5.3% to 62,260 tonnes in August from a year earlier, according to Japan Copper and Brass Association. The copper strip output showed the widest decrease since November 2009, when the demand decreased after recovery from the aftermath of Lehman Shock.
The copper strip output represented year-on-year decrease for 9 months in a row through August due to slow demand for leadframe. The brass strip output decreased for 11 months in a row and decreased to less than 8,000 tonnes for the first time in 26 months and. The copper tube output increased for 19 months through August from a year earlier. The brass bar output increased for 21 months in a row. However, the output would decrease in September due to inventory adjustment.