Japanese Electric Wire & Cable Makers’ Association announced on Friday around 130 members’ domestic copper electric wire shipment will decrease by 2.2% to 668,000 tonnes in copper volume in fiscal 2011 from fiscal 2010. The shipment decreases again due to the major earthquake after the volume in fiscal 2010 hit first increase in 4 years. The association expects domestic optical fiber shipment will decrease by 16% to 7.744 million kilometers core.
The shipment increased for construction and wholesalers just after the quake. But the shipment decreased after the temporary increase due to slower construction activity. The association expects the demand will increase slightly under the uncertain situation. The shipment for electric power shows major drop in fiscal 2011 from fiscal 2010 due to lower capital expenditure by power companies. The shipment for automotive application decreases in the year due to major drop in April-June. The shipment could decrease for electric machine and appliances due to major drop in April-June and potential slower demand under high yen rate. The association expects the demand will increase for telecommunication in fiscal 2011 from fiscal 2010 after the shipment increased through July in year to year basis. The shipment for other domestic applications increased through July compared with a year earlier level due to rebuilding activity of the quake damage. The shipment will increase in fiscal 2011 from fiscal 2010 even with slowing demand in second half of the year.