Japan Cu Rolled Products Inventory Keeps Low Level in January

Japanese inventory of copper fabricated products decreased by 8.8% to 30,996 tonnes in January from a year earlier, which represented year-on-year decrease for 5 months in a row, according to Japan Copper & Brass Association. The inventory maintains low level when copper fabricators continue output reductions along the demand recession.

Copper strip inventory decreased by 24.9% to 6,533 tonnes. Japanese copper strip makers are decreasing their productions with the demand decline from automobile and semiconductor related applications since autumn 2008.

Brass bar inventory decreased by 16.2% to 5,840 tonnes. The demand keeps stagnant from major applications such as gas appliances and water taps. Japanese brass bar production was 11,841 tonnes in January, down by 34.4% year-on-year.

Copper tube inventory decreased by 27.2% to 3,053 tonnes. The demand is slow from air conditioners along construction market decline.