Japan Copper Alloy Products Export Recovering Slightly

Japanese export volume of rolled copper and copper alloy products is slightly recovering. The total export hit the bottom at 8,450 tonnes in December and improved to 9,560 tonnes in February, according to Japan Copper & Brass Association. The export volume of copper strip turned month-to-month increase while the export was 30% lower than the figure in a year earlier.

Output volume of Japanese copper and copper alloy fabricators totaled 9,566 tonnes for export in February, which was 29% lower than the figure in a year earlier. The output represented more than 20% year-to-year decrease for six straight months. Meanwhile, the volume rebounded by 13% from December and approached 10,000 tonnes for the first time since September 2011.

Copper strip production for export decreased by 32% to 3,810 tonnes in February from a year earlier while rebounded by 24% from recent bottom at 3,080 tonnes in November. The demand maintains stagnant for semiconductor mounting leadframes and connectors applied to consumer electronics. However, Japanese major copper alloy fabricator indicated the market hit the bottom. The demand seems to be recovering especially in Southeast Asia.

Copper tube export decreased by 27% to 1,766 tonnes in February from a year earlier. The brass bar decreased by 37% to 948 tonnes and brass strip decreased by 11% to 809 tonnes. These volumes also hit bottom in December or January.

Meanwhile, export of phosphor bronze sheet and strip continues decreasing from 1,002 tonnes in September. The export decreased by 29% to 613 tonnes in February from a year earlier and hit the lowest volume since March 2009.