Malaysia: Wood product prices remain flat

  • June 29, 2010
  • • Source: ITTO's Tropical Timber Market Report
  • • Views: 7469
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Wood product prices in Malaysia remained mostly unchanged during the last fortnight as European timber importers were not actively buying while waiting to see how the continuing European debt crises are affecting business. European buyers fear that there will be other EU countries with debts as bad as in Greece.
The continuing European debt crisis and high unemployment in the US have resulted in cautious purchasing from the importers. However, the Chinese market remains vibrant and offers good opportunities for timber exporters.

MTC eyes Jordan for increased timber exports
According to the Malaysian Timber Council (MTC), Malaysian timber product exports to Jordan are expected to increase by 10% this year. MTC recently organised a trade mission to Jordan with 13 Malaysian timber companies participating.
Trade between Malaysia and Jordan amounted to US$188 million in 2009, according to statistics from the Malaysian embassy in Jordan. Jordan imported timber and wood products worth only US$3 million from Malaysia back in 1998. Since then, imports have rose steadily to US$32 million in 2007, US$41 million in 2008 and US$48 million in 2009.
Malaysian timber and timber product exports to the Middle-East reached US$508 million in year 2009. Jordan is the fifth largest importer of Malaysian timber products in the region after the UAE, Yemen, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

Furniture buying mission by Japanese retailer
Maruni Furnishing Inc., a high quality wooden furniture and furniture products retailer in Japan, reportedly considers Malaysia as an attractive furniture supplier. The company made a buying mission to Malaysia recently. In recent years, Malaysian furniture exports have been increasing to Japan, where China, Vietnam and Thailand have been the main exporting countries.

Malaysia Log Prices
Malaysia Log Prices
Sarawak log, FOB US$ per m³
Meranti SQ up 232-256
Small
215-246
Super small
207-231
Keruing SQ up 221-233
Small
201-231
Super small
179-209
Kapur SQ up 211-236
Selangan Batu SQ up 191-228

Pen. Malaysia logs, domestic (SQ) US$ per m³
DR Meranti 238-257
Balau 303-332
Merbau 333-366
Rubberwood 68-104
Keruing 222-238
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
DR Meranti
396-432
White Meranti A & up
284-314
Seraya Scantlings (75x125 KD)
436-449
Sepetir Boards
253-275
Sesendok 25,50mm
347-365
Kembang Semangkok
304-327

Malaysian Sawnwood, domestic
US$ per m³
Balau (25&50mm,100mm+)
327-347
Merbau
461-513
Kempas 50mmx (75,100 & 125mm)
261-301
Rubberwood 25x75x660mm up
216-266
50-75mm Sq.
255-287
>75mm Sq.
277-306


Malaysia Plywood Prices
Malaysia ply MR BB/CC, FOB US$ per m³
2.7mm
411-473
3mm
391-421
9mm & up
338-410
Meranti ply BB/CC, domestic US$ per m³
3mm
334-425
12-18mm
318-347


Other Malaysia Panel Prices
Malaysia, Other Panels, FOB US$ per m³
Particleboard Export 12mm & up
230-253
Domestic 12mm & up
215-232
MDF            Export 15-19mm
283-314
Domestic 12-18mm
273-291


Malaysia Added Value Product Prices
Malaysia, Mouldings, FOB US$ per m³
Selagan Batu Decking
539-549
Red Meranti Mouldings 11x68/92mm x 7ft up
Grade A
554-567
Grade B
507-517


Malaysia Furniture and Parts Prices
Malaysia, Rubberwood, FOB US$ per piece
Semi-finished dining table solid laminated top 2.5'x4', extension leaf
64-80
As above, Oak Veneer
71-85
Windsor Chair
63-65
Colonial Chair
61-66
Queen Anne Chair (soft seat) without arm
61-69
with arm
61-70
Chair Seat 27x430x500mm
49-54
Rubberwood Tabletop US$ per m³
22x760x1220mm sanded & edge profiled
Top Grade
580-613
Standard
564-584