Rolled Copper Demand Expected to Show Average Annual Growth of 0.4 percent to 2000

摘要

According to a forecast by the Japan Rolled Copper Association, rolled copper demand up to fiscal 2000 is expected to grow by a gradual annual 0.4 percent beginning with the 1,203,000 tons of fiscal 1995. In the next three years from 1996 to 1999, demand is expected to be between 1.18 million and 1.19 million tons, and then the level is expected to recover to the 1.2 million ton level in 1999. In 2000, demand is expected to exceed the previous record high of 1,219,000 tons in fiscal 1991 and hit 1,227,000 tons. Of this amount, domestic demand is expected to rise by 0.1 percent, has demand continues to move along a ceiling, but exports are expected to increase by 1.8 percent in order to respond to the increasing trend for Japanese manufacturers to shift their production basis to Southeast Asia. According to the association, demand in fiscal 1996 is expected to drop by 1.9 percent from the previous year to 1,181,000 tons. This is an downward adjustment of 7,000 tons compared to the outlook of 1,188,000 tons made at the end of March.