Japan Rolled Copper Demand Downs toward F2012, Association

Japanese rolled copper demand will decrease by 0.9% to 989,700 tonnes in fiscal 2012 ending March 2013 from fiscal 2007, announced by Japan Copper and Brass Association on Thursday. The industry group expects the demand decreases by 7.6% for copper tube due to higher offshore production of air conditioner while the demand will increase for copper strip and brass bar. The association revised the fiscal 2008 outlook downward to 977,150 tonnes, which is 3.9% lower than original forecast in March. The association expects the demand increases to 982,200 tonnes in fiscal 2010 and to 984,150 tonnes in fiscal 2011 after 976,750 tonnes in fiscal 2009. The association is revised the long term outlook while the association released outlook in September 2007, in which the demand was 1.017 million tonnes in fiscal 2008, 1.019 million tonnes in fiscal 2009, 1.022 million tonnes in fiscal 2010 and 1.025 million tonnes in fiscal 2011. The association now expects the copper tube demand deceases to 152,000 tonnes in fiscal 2012 from 155,500 tonnes in fiscal 2008. The demand decreases when Japanese makers shift the air conditioner production to offshore site.