MANILA, Philippines - Imaging giant Canon Marketing Philippines Inc (CMPI) registered the highest printer sales in the first half of 2010 but expects a slowdown in the fourth quarter of the year.

Japan's Canon sales has topped the country's total inkjet printer market by securing 33% market share for the first half of 2010, according to the latest reports from the International Data Corporation.

The Bubble Jet Printer sales grew by 27% from the same period in 2009. The Bubble Jet Printer market comprises about 25% of CMPI's total product sales in the Philippines, CMPI said in a statement.

The increase was attributed to the consistent quality of PIXMA printers, reliable service and "increased penetration in provincial areas."

CMPI consumer systems products marketing manager Jill Santiago also added the continues increase in the retail market and Canon's promos.

“Technological trends include the shift to multitasking which may result in the growth of the MFP (multi-function printer) industry,” she said in a statement.

However, CMPI expects the Ink-Jet Printer industry to slow down slightly in the fourth quarter of 2010 due to the usual consumer holiday priorities.

“But the total market growth for this year versus last year and for 2011 is still seen to grow,” she added.

In July, CMPI president Alan Chng forecast an overall sales that will be encompass the P14 billion mark in 2010.