Reuters: Sharp Has “Nearly Halted” Its iPad Display Production. Here’s Why.

In an exclusive this afternoon, respected news source Reuters reports that Sharp Japan “nearly halted” its production lines responsible for churning out the display panels for Apple’s 9.7-inch iPad at the beginning of this month, after the company’s focus unequivocally shifted to producing displays for Apple’s recently introduced iPad Mini, instead.

“Sharp’s iPad screen production line at its Kameyama plant in central Japan has fallen to the minimal level to keep the line running this month after a gradual slowdown began at the end of 2012 as Apple manages its inventory,” the industry sources with knowledge of Sharp’s production plans told Reuters.

The report cites “two [unnamed] sources” as the origin of the information, which (if true) may be the biggest indicator surrounding current consumer demand for the iPad Mini, since the tablet was first introduced by the company, last October.

Reuters concludes by adding that its sources “didn’t say how much of the slowdown was due to seasonal changes.” When the information was presented to Sharp, spokeswoman for the firm, Miyuki Nakayama said: “We don’t disclose production levels.”

/ CultofMac (h/t)