Japan Cu Alloy Output Keeps Historically Low in March

Japanese domestic output of copper alloy products decreased by 60.2% to 34,440 tonnes in March from a year earlier, according to a quick estimation by Japan Copper & Brass Association. The output was the lowest since 34,796 tonnes in January 1975.

Copper strip production became below 6,000 tonnes per month for the first time since February 1978. The demand dropped when automobile and semiconductor makers shrank their operations at the end of a fiscal year.

Brass bar production hit below 10,000 tonnes per month for the first time since July 1975 and represented year-on-year decrease for 8 straight months. The demand maintained stagnant from automobiles, gas appliances and water taps.

Copper tube output showed below 10,000 tonnes per month for 3 months in a row. Air conditioner related demand keeps weak from both domestic and offshore markets.

Production of phosphor bronze sheet and strip decreased by 78% to 1,108 tonnes in March from a year earlier. However, the output increased by 14% compared with 971 tonnes in February. A maker source said the demand is partially recovering from cellular phone makers in China.