Taiwan market: LCD monitor prices to increase in August

LCD monitor prices are expected to increase by NT$300-500 (US$9.10-15.16) in the Taiwan market in August 2009 amid increasing panel prices, according to market sources.

The sources indicated that monitor inventory in the Taiwan market will be low after the Taipei Computer Applications Show - a local promotional sales event for IT products - from July 30 till August 3, 2009. The anticipation of increases in monitor prices will drive consumers to take advantage of the promotional sales, the sources commented.

Panel prices are hiking on shortages, which are estimated to last till the fourth quarter. In turn, monitor vendors will have to reflect the rising cost by raising prices in August, the sources said.

Although some industry observers expect glass substrate shortage to ease in the fourth quarter, some other end-market players in Taiwan were cited by the sources as stating that the shortage is likely to continue in the fourth quarter on strong demand for monitors and smaller-size LCD TVs from China.

Monitor prices have dropped significantly. The average price of a 19-inch widescreen monitor has decreased by almost 40% to below NT$4,000 compared to over NT$6,000 in the same period of 2008, the sources added.