Japan Rolled Cu Demand to Rise by 2.4% in F2012

Japanese rolled copper demand increases by 2.4% to 825,300 tonnes including export in fiscal 2012 from fiscal 2011, announced by Japan Copper and Brass Association on Thursday. The association expects better demand for all major items except for copper tube. The demand is lower in the first half than same period of fiscal 2011 when the demand recovery is mainly in the second half.

The association estimates 806,000 tonnes of the demand in fiscal 2011, which was much lower than 857,300 tonnes of former outlook as of September 2011. The demand decreases under worldwide slow economy and Thai flood impact.

The demand increases in fiscal 2012 but the level is lower than 864,046 tonnes in fiscal 2010. The demand is 407,500 tonnes in the first half of fiscal 2012 compared with 423,072 tonnes in same period of fiscal 2011.

The demand increases by 2.1% to 250,300 tonnes for copper flat and strip products in fiscal 2012 from fiscal 2011. The demand decreased by 6% to 122,000 tonnes in the first half from same period of 2011 but the demand increases by 11% to 128,300 tonnes in the second half.

The brass flat and strop demand increases by 3.3% to 119,900 tonnes in fiscal 2012 from fiscal 2011. The demand of bronze flat and strip increases by 6.9% to 40,400 tonnes. The brass bar demand increases by 2.9% to 191,750 tonnes. The copper tube demand decreases by 5.2% to 122,200 tonnes.