Japan Electric Cable Makers Strongly Raise VVF Price

Japanese electric cable makers are strongly offering price hike for VVF (vinyl insulated vinyl sheathed flat-type) cables, one of major items for constructions. Makers aim to make the selling price for electric wholesalers reach 50 yen per meter for 2-core 600V VVF cable with 1.6 mm diameter, when resin cost is remarkably surging.The market price reached around 45 yen per meter in mid August from previous 43 yen. Cable makers aim to raise the price to around 48 yen as soon as possible. A maker source said they would post loss even at 48 yen and they should reach 50 yen earlier to improve profitability.Japanese naphtha price is 70,900 yen per litter for July-September, the indicator for domestic resin prices, which continued soaring by 6% from the previous quarter and hit the highest since oil crisis.Oil future price is weakening at present. However, Japanese naphtha price is expected to keep the current level within 2008 because of time lag between overseas oil and Japanese naphtha markets and Japanese oil manufacturers’ aims to cover losses. Domestic resin makers raised the selling price significantly during July-August and plan additional hike in September.