Japanese aluminium demand of ingot and processed products decreased by 3% to 1.903 million tonnes in first half of fiscal 2011 started April from same period of fiscal 2010, according to Japan Aluminium Association. The first half demand decreased for the first time in 2 years. The demand recovered for transport from slump after the major earthquake while the demand was slower for food and export.
The demand decreased by 9.9% for transport in the first half from same period of fiscal 2010. The year to year decrease was around 6 percentage points narrower than the decrease in January-June due to recovered demand for automobile. The demand decreased increased by 5.3% in the first half from same period of fiscal 2010. However, the year to year demand increase was narrower than 7.1% increase in January-June. The demand decreased for can material when the users built inventory before tighter power availability in summer. The construction demand increased by 7.2% in the first half from same period of fiscal 2010. However, the year to year increase was narrower than 9.7% increase in January-June. The major indicator of new housing start recovered since June but the housing start decreased in September. The export demand decreased by 15.8% in the first half from the same period of fiscal 2010. The year to year decrease was in line with 15.8% decrease in January-June. The export decreased when the domestic suppliers focused on domestic supply and higher yen rate reduced the export.