Japan Rolled Light Metal Price Drops by 5-10 yen/kg in Oct

Japanese domestic market of aluminium rolled products declined by 5-10 yen per kilogram at the end of October from a month earlier, according to the seasonal survey for the members of Japan Light Metal Merchant’s Association. The market price decreased for all items of aluminium rolled products in all 3 areas, Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya when domestic primary aluminium price downed by 10 yen per kg for October-December compared with previous quarter.The aluminium rolled products demand is recovering from recent bottom in August-September. The demand shows recovery for productive equipment of semiconductors and liquid crystal panels in October. The association expects the demand will recover gradually. Aluminium ingot price is expected to decrease more in January. Some industry interests concern the dealers could liquidate the inventory at lower price before price down. However, the association expects the dealers could act more reasonably when they could expect demand recovery. The association expects the price drop move is limited with better demand.