Malaysia: Furniture manufacturers face threat of closure
Some furniture manufacturers could be forced to close
within six months as a result of the 50% increase of the
levy for foreign workers, indicated The Star. Mr. Desmond
Tan, president of the Malaysia Furniture Entrepreneurs
Association (MFEA), commented that the federal
government needed to address the problem quickly as it would have an adverse effect on the operational costs of
furniture manufacturers. With declining orders, he added
that it could lead to further layoffs at the management and
executive levels. Furniture exports posted a 14.2% drop in
January 2009, to RM621.3 million, from RM724.2 million
compared to the same month in year 2008. Malaysia’s
furniture exports registered 2% growth in year 2008 from
year 2007, and were worth RM8.7 billion. This translates
to only 2.6% of the world’s market for furniture.
MTC to represent timber sector at MICCOS event in August 2009
The Malaysian agricultural commodity industry will be holding a major exhibition for international buyers at the Malaysia International Commodity Conference & Showcase (MICCOS), which will be convened at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) from 13 to 16 August 2009. The Malaysian timber sector will be represented by the Malaysian Timber Council and the Malaysian Timber Industry Board.
Properties facing foreclosure on the rise in Malaysia
The number of properties facing foreclosure or receivership had increased from between 10% to 20% as more property owners fell victim to the recession in Malaysia. Personal and business bankruptcy in Malaysia is expected to increase significantly as well, reported The Star.
Withdrawal of investment could impact timber sector
Many banks are reportedly to have started withdrawing trade credit facilities from a wide range of exporters, including those with low credit risk exposure in the timber sector. Most Malaysian banks traditionally favor the construction sector over the manufacturing and trading sectors. This has contributed to the large number of abandoned construction projects in Malaysia during a recession, which in turn drives down prices of building materials and timber products.
Malaysia Log Prices
Malaysia Log Prices
Malaysia Sawnwood Prices
Malaysia Plywood Prices
Other Malaysia Panel Prices
Malaysia Added Value Product Prices
Malaysia Furniture and Parts Prices
MTC to represent timber sector at MICCOS event in August 2009
The Malaysian agricultural commodity industry will be holding a major exhibition for international buyers at the Malaysia International Commodity Conference & Showcase (MICCOS), which will be convened at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) from 13 to 16 August 2009. The Malaysian timber sector will be represented by the Malaysian Timber Council and the Malaysian Timber Industry Board.
Properties facing foreclosure on the rise in Malaysia
The number of properties facing foreclosure or receivership had increased from between 10% to 20% as more property owners fell victim to the recession in Malaysia. Personal and business bankruptcy in Malaysia is expected to increase significantly as well, reported The Star.
Withdrawal of investment could impact timber sector
Many banks are reportedly to have started withdrawing trade credit facilities from a wide range of exporters, including those with low credit risk exposure in the timber sector. Most Malaysian banks traditionally favor the construction sector over the manufacturing and trading sectors. This has contributed to the large number of abandoned construction projects in Malaysia during a recession, which in turn drives down prices of building materials and timber products.
Malaysia Log Prices
| Sarawak log, FOB | US$ per m³ |
| Meranti SQ up | 230-254 |
|
Small
|
212-243 |
|
Super small
|
201-225 |
| Keruing SQ up | 217-229 |
|
Small
|
187-218 |
|
Super small
|
162-193 |
| Kapur SQ up | 207-232 |
| Selangan Batu SQ up | 178-215 |
| Pen. Malaysia logs, domestic (SQ) | US$ per m³ |
| DR Meranti | 233-252 ⇑ |
| Balau | 300-327 |
| Merbau | 324-359 |
| Rubberwood | 40-75 |
| Keruing | 216-232 |
| Peninsular Malaysian meranti logs are top grade and are used for scantlings for the EU. Their prices are higher than Sarawaks. | |
Malaysia Sawnwood Prices
| Malaysia Sawnwood, FOB | US$ per m³ | |
| White Meranti A & up |
281-312 ⇓
|
|
| Seraya Scantlings (75x125 KD) |
453-468 ⇓
|
|
| Sepetir Boards |
250-272 ⇓
|
|
| Sesendok 25,50mm |
353-371 ⇓
|
|
| Kembang Semangkok |
295-318 ⇓
|
|
| Malaysian Sawnwood, domestic |
US$ per m³
|
|
| Balau (25&50mm,100mm+) |
333-353 ⇓
|
|
| Merbau |
477-529 ⇓
|
|
| Kempas 50mmx (75,100 & 125mm) |
261-301 ⇓
|
|
| Rubberwood | 25x75x660mm up |
194-244
|
| 50-75mm Sq. |
235-267 ⇓
|
|
| >75mm Sq. |
257-286 ⇓
|
|
Malaysia Plywood Prices
| Malaysia ply MR BB/CC, FOB | US$ per m³ |
| 2.7mm |
415-477 ⇓
|
| 3mm |
392-422 ⇓
|
| 9mm & up |
337-409 ⇓
|
| Meranti ply BB/CC, domestic | US$ per m³ |
|
3mm
|
388-429 ⇓
|
|
12-18mm
|
322-351 ⇓
|
Other Malaysia Panel Prices
| Malaysia, Other Panels, FOB | US$ per m³ |
| Particleboard Export 12mm & up |
229-252 ⇓
|
|
Domestic 12mm & up
|
214-231 ⇓
|
| MDF Export 15-19mm |
284-316 ⇓
|
|
Domestic 12-18mm
|
273-291 ⇓
|
Malaysia Added Value Product Prices
| Malaysia, Mouldings, FOB | US$ per m³ |
| Selagan Batu Decking |
547-557 ⇓
|
| Red Meranti Mouldings 11x68/92mm x 7ft up | |
|
Grade A
|
563-576 ⇓
|
|
Grade B
|
514-523 ⇓
|
Malaysia Furniture and Parts Prices
| Malaysia, Rubberwood, FOB | US$ per piece | |
| Semi-finished dining table solid laminated top 2.5'x4', extension leaf |
58-74
|
|
| As above, Oak Veneer |
65-79
|
|
| Windsor Chair |
57-59
|
|
| Colonial Chair |
55-60
|
|
| Queen Anne Chair (soft seat) | without arm |
55-63
|
| with arm |
55-64
|
|
| Chair Seat 27x430x500mm |
43-48
|
|
| Rubberwood Tabletop | US$ per m³ | |
| 22x760x1220mm sanded & edge profiled | ||
|
Top Grade
|
556-588 | |
|
Standard
|
541-559 | |