Japan Rolled Copper Output Hits First Rise in 16 Months

Japanese rolled copper production increased by 0.8% to 70,100 tonnes in November from a year earlier, which was the first increase in 16 months, announced by Japan Copper and Brass Association on Thursday. Japanese electric wire shipment decreased by 7.7% to 58,700 tonnes in copper volume by around 130 members of Japan Electric Wire & Cable Makers’ Association. Export demand lifted the rolled copper production while the electric wire shipment was slow under peaking domestic demand for automobile and appliances.

The copper strip production increased by 16.6% to 21,880 tonnes in November from a year earlier, which was the first increase in 15 months. The production was apparently lifted by firm demand for automobile and digital appliances mainly in China. The production increased by 12.8% to 16,400 tonnes for domestic market and by 29.1% to 5,480 tonnes for export.

The electric copper wire shipment’s year to year drop was only single digit for the first time in 13 months while the shipment decreased sharply since November 2008. The shipment decreased in November from October due to slow demand for construction and wholesalers. The demand for construction and wholesalers decreased to 23,800 tonnes, which was 12.7% lower than a year earlier and 2.4% lower than October.