According to a Reuters report, citing the information shared by two unidentified industry sources `in the know' of Sharp's production plans, the production of 9.7-inch Apple iPad screens has been nearly stopped by Sharp, probably because of an evident shift in demand to Apple's smaller iPad Mini tablet.

As per Reuters sources, the production line of iPad's screens at Sharp's central Japan-based Kameyama plant has been brought down to the minimal level for keeping the line running in January, following a gradual slowdown which started in end-2012.

Pointing out that Apple manages Sharp's iPad screen inventory, people aware of the almost total production shutdown have revealed that Sharp has stalled the shipments of iPad panels. Though these sources could not give precise details about the level of remaining iPad screen production at Sharp, they did mention that the screen-output level was `extremely limited.'

Despite the fact that the Reuters sources could not specify any particular reason for Sharp's decision to halt the 9.7-inch iPad screen production, it is being widely speculated that the move was apparently an upshot of either a seasonal shift in demand for the iPad, or Apple's switch to another supplier for the screens, or increasing demand for iPad Mini, or even possibly an update in the iPad design.

Meanwhile, in response to queries about Sharp reported halt in the production of 9.7 inch iPad screens, Sharp spokeswoman Miyuki Nakayama said: "We don't disclose production levels."