Japan’s output of copper and copper alloy products in November dropped by 14pc from the prior-year period amid a slowdown in global demand.
Japan produced 20,753mt of copper strips in November, down by 14 pc from an output of 24,199mt in the prior year. Drop in China’s automobile sales and a slowdown in the global demand for semiconductors decreased output.
Production of copper products is expected to fall below 800,000mt for the first time in three years, according to Japan’s brass and copper association. In the Jan-Nov period, Japan produced 693,188mt of copper and alloy products.
Japan’s total production of copper and copper alloy products was 62,011mt in November, down by 14pc from 71,649mt the prior year. Output for copper rolled products including sheets, strips, tubes, rods and wires was 33,378mt in November, down by 13pc from the prior year. Brass product output dropped by 15pc to 25,478mt from 20,798mt a year ago.