Japan Cu Rolled Product Output Increases Y/Y for 3 Months

Japanese rolled copper production was 84,700 tonnes at a quick estimation in June, increasing by 0.2% from a year earlier, according to Japan Copper and Brass Association. The production represented year-on-year increase for 3 months in a row. Copper strip output hit the record volume as June. Brass bar production also increased y/y and covered the decline of copper tube and brass bar.Copper strip output increased by 7.1% y/y to 23,800 tonnes in June, which exceeded the previous record 23,143 tonnes in June 2006. Strip makers hold order backlogs for automotive connector pins and continue full operations. Brass bar production increased by 5.2% y/y to 11,836 tonnes by the same reason.Copper tube production decreased by 8.1% to 14,112 tonnes in June from a year earlier, which hit the lowest as June next to 12,623 tonnes in 1985. The demand declined from air conditioners when new building starts slowed down in Japan. Brass bar output decreased by 3.5% to 18,008 tonnes in June from a year earlier. The production represented y/y down for 2 straight months and hit the yearly bottom.