Taiwan makers' shipments of large-size panels are expected to reach 60.87 million in the first quarter of 2015, down 9.2% on quarter and down 2.2% on year, according to Digitimes Research.
Despite the overall decline, Taiwan makers' LCD TV panel shipments will see increased growth at around 10% due to purchases from Samsung Electronics and various China-based vendors.
Panel makers are in fact expected to see tight supply for LCD TV panels during the quarter and are requiring some vendors make long-term purchase agreements or large quantity purchases in order to help sustain their businesses.
Some vendors have already agreed to one-year commitments through 2015 starting in the first quarter, which means that supply is already being issued to relevant customers, hence the steady LCD TV panel demand in the quarter.
Taiwan panel makers are also adjusting production capacity for LCD monitor panel applications in order to increase production of LCD TV panels, which will also help the makers maintain higher utilization rates, said Digitimes Research.