Japan Cu Fabricated Product Shipment Totals 335,000T in Fiscal 1H

Japanese copper and copper alloy fabricators’ product shipment totaled 334,509 tonnes in the first half of fiscal 2009 (April-September), down by 31.5% from the same period of fiscal 2008, announced by Japan Copper & Brass Association. The first-half-year shipment represented year-to-year minus for 3 years in a row. Meanwhile, the shipment volume rebounded from the bottom in January-March 2009 thanks to the demand recovery from digital appliance, automobile and semiconductor industries.

The shipment for domestic market totaled 273,442 tonnes in 1H of F2009, down by 31.6% from the same period of F2008.

The shipment for connectors decreased by 35.5% to 45,493 tonnes, which represented 66% year-to-year minus in April and turned upward after then. Shipment of copper strip and brass strip increased for connector pins. Home appliance makers increased the order volume as a rebound of severe inventory adjustment from autumn 2008 to early 2009. In addition, digital appliance sales were stimulated by Japanese government’s eco-point system.

The shipment for transporting machines and components decreased by 31% to 26,132 tonnes in 1H of F2009 from a year earlier. The monthly minus range has narrowed since April thanks to the demand recovery for automotive connector pins along the high sales of hybrid cars. The shipment for semiconductors decreased by 30.1% to 18,353 tonnes. The volume gradually recovered when semiconductor makers eased output reductions.

The shipment for export totaled 61,067 tonnes in 1H of F2009, down by 31% from a year earlier. Overseas demand recovered mainly for copper sheet, copper strip, phosphor bronze sheet and strip when production of cars and digital appliances increased in Asian region.