Figures from analyst Meko’s DisplayCast Desktop Monitor service reveal that desktop display sales for Q1 2009 were down 11.5 per cent by volume to 11.3 million units ­- the lowest for a single quarter since Q2 2006. Meko also recorded a collapse in value, with the quarter’s sales down 26 per cent to $2.8bn (£1.7bn).

That makes sales for Q1 2009 the lowest first quarter by value since Meko started tracking this market in 2000. By volume, Q1 2009 was the lowest for any first quarter since 2004.

Paul Butler, analyst director at Meko, said that several leading brands improved their desktop display sales.

“Of the top 10 brands, LG, Asus, Acer and Hannspree all increased volumes for the quarter,” he said. “We have seen positive steps from many vendors in the consumer sector, despite the overall downward trend.”

Other popular vendors suffered significant declines, including HP, Samsung, Fujitsu Technology Solutions ­ previously Fujitsu-Siemens ­ and BenQ. According to Meko, the cause was their heavy reliance on commercial sales.

The commercial channel suffered most, with its sales comprising just 48 per cent of the total ­ down 1.7 per cent on Q4 2008.

Western European countries did better than Central and Eastern Europe. Russia and Eastern Europe suffered in the last quarter of 2008 and in this first quarter saw sales fall more than 30 per cent.

But panel-makers are still increasing their prices, added Butler.

Meko’s results correspond with an IDC report in May that warned about overconfidence and market saturation leading to further market decline post-2008.

Tom Mainelli, senior research analyst at IDC, said: “By the end of that year, total shipments were off by 4.8 per cent from 2007. Things will get worse before they get better.”