CD-RW drive prices falling because of SARS disease

CD-RW drive contract prices have dropped to US-40 in early 2003 from US$ 60-70 one year earlier. Further decline is also expected because suppliers have geared up to lower their inventories as they see dropping sales caused by the SARS outbreak, the companies said.

In the local market, prices for 52x CD-RW drives produced by first-tier companies such as BenQ, Lite-On IT, Asustek Computer and Ricoh have dropped to NT$ 1,600-1,700, while 48x CD-RW drives made by some second-tier suppliers have reportedly fallen to below NT$ 1,500. The average price of CD-RW drives in the fourth quarter of 2002 was around NT$ 3,000.