Japan Copper Electric Wire Shipment to Hit 34-Year Low in F2009

Japanese shipment of copper electric wire will decrease to 34-year low level in fiscal 2009 starting April. Japanese Electric Wire and Cable Makers’ Association announced on Thursday the shipment by around 130 member companies will decrease by 7.9% to 705,000 tonnes in copper volume in fiscal 2009 from estimated volume in fiscal 2008 due to slower demand for major applications. The association expects the shipment of optical fiber cable will decrease by 1.7% to 7.885 million kilometers core.

The association estimates the shipment of copper electric wire decreased by 10.6% to 765,100 tonnes in fiscal 2008 from fiscal 2007, which is the first drop to less than 800,000 tonnes since fiscal 1976. The shipment decreased especially since late 2008.

The association expects the copper electric wire shipment decreased to the lowest level in fiscal 2009 after 659,000 tonnes in fiscal 1975. The association expects the shipment in the first half year would be same level as second half of fiscal 2008 and the shipment recovery is marginal in the second half of fiscal 2009.

The shipment is expected to hit 22-year low for construction and wholesalers and 34-year low for electric machine in fiscal 2009. The association expects the shipment to automobile decreases to the low level as fiscal 2002.