Japan’s copper wire sales stood at 43,500 t in May 2022, a decrease of 6.4% y-o-y, data released by the Japan Wire Industry Association reveals. Sales have hit a two-year low since May 2020 when Covid-19 outbreak impacted demand, as per Japan Metal Daily. This was because of weak sales in construction, electricals and automobiles sectors.
Sector-wise sales
Tele-communications: Copper wire sales in tele-communications sector were recorded at 600 t in May 2022, a decrease of 10.8% y-o-y. Sales dipped for 9 consecutive months since May 2021 due to a decrease in carrier investment. Sales in electric power segment were at 3,100 t, down 15.2% y-o-y.
Electrical machinery: Sales for electrical machinery stood at 9,600 t in the month under review, stable y-o-y.
Automobiles: Sales for automobiles were at 5,200 t last month, down 11.8% y-o-y, falling to the lowest level since June 2008.
Construction and electronics: Sales from these sectors were recorded at 21,200 t in May, a decrease of 6.9% y-o-y. The commercial market for electronics was weak, falling below the previous year’s level for the first time in three months. The wait-and-watch situation is spreading among customers due to the fluctuation of copper prices.
Sales in other sector, which is mostly related to capital investments, were at 3,000 t in May, a decrease of 1.5% y-o-y, the lowest since August 2008 and falling below the previous year’s level for the third consecutive month.
Meanwhile, exports of copper wires stood at 800 t, a decrease of 4.6% y-o-y, declining for two consecutive months.
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