Japan: Meranti logs breach the US$200 level
Tropical log prices have been inching up in recent months and at long last Sarawak log exports have achieved the US$200 per cu.m for Meranti Regular logs that was their target, in fact current asking prices are closer to US$220 per cu.m.
Log availability in Sarawak is reportedly very tight because bad weather is hampering logging. Also, it is reported that some of the major suppliers are now moving into new concession areas which is disrupting the regular flow of logs.
Because log stocks are low in Sarawak, Japanese log importers have delayed sending vessels to load logs and the JLR says that the next loading could be as late as end June.
As log stocks are low and international demand is firm suppliers have been asking higher prices. For Japan, Small Meranti prices are at US$180 per cu.m FOB up US$4-5 per cu.m on levels in May. The JLR says prices of US$190 per cu.m will be seen soon.
In Japan, plywood mills are actively buying logs as plywood sales are improving slightly. Sarawak Meranti regular logs are priced at Yen 6,800 – 6,900 per Koku CIF, Yen 300 up on levels a month ago. Small Meranti log prices are at yen 5,800-5,900 per koku also up Yen 300 per koku on prices in May. Demand for tropical hardwood logs by Japanese crating manufacturers has strengthened and this is another factor driving up log prices.
US supplying JAS and FSC Douglas fir
Demand for certified lumber is growing in Japan reports the JLR and this is giving a boost to US lumber exporters. Apparently many west coast US sawmills are increasing exports to Japan even in the face of rising US domestic log prices and higher ocean freight charges. To attract Japanese buyers US millers are now cutting metric sizes and are offering more kiln dried lumber.
Japan
Log and Sawnwood Prices in Japan
Wholesale Prices (Tokyo)
Log availability in Sarawak is reportedly very tight because bad weather is hampering logging. Also, it is reported that some of the major suppliers are now moving into new concession areas which is disrupting the regular flow of logs.
Because log stocks are low in Sarawak, Japanese log importers have delayed sending vessels to load logs and the JLR says that the next loading could be as late as end June.
As log stocks are low and international demand is firm suppliers have been asking higher prices. For Japan, Small Meranti prices are at US$180 per cu.m FOB up US$4-5 per cu.m on levels in May. The JLR says prices of US$190 per cu.m will be seen soon.
In Japan, plywood mills are actively buying logs as plywood sales are improving slightly. Sarawak Meranti regular logs are priced at Yen 6,800 – 6,900 per Koku CIF, Yen 300 up on levels a month ago. Small Meranti log prices are at yen 5,800-5,900 per koku also up Yen 300 per koku on prices in May. Demand for tropical hardwood logs by Japanese crating manufacturers has strengthened and this is another factor driving up log prices.
US supplying JAS and FSC Douglas fir
Demand for certified lumber is growing in Japan reports the JLR and this is giving a boost to US lumber exporters. Apparently many west coast US sawmills are increasing exports to Japan even in the face of rising US domestic log prices and higher ocean freight charges. To attract Japanese buyers US millers are now cutting metric sizes and are offering more kiln dried lumber.
Log and Sawnwood Prices in Japan
| Logs for Ply
Manufacture, CIF Meranti (Hill, Sarawak) |
Yen per Koku (koku=0.278 m3) |
|
Medium Mixed
|
6,300 |
|
Standard Mixed
|
6,500 |
|
Small Log (SM60%,
SSM40%)
|
6,300 |
| Taun, Calophyllum, others (PNG) |
8,000 |
| Mixed light hardwood, G3/4 grade
(PNG) |
- |
| Keruing MQ & up (Sarawak) |
10,500 |
| Kapur MQ & up (Sarawak) |
8,900 |
| Logs
for
Sawmilling,
CIF |
Yen per Koku |
| Melapi (Sarawak) High Select |
11,500 |
| Agathis (Sarawak) High Select |
- |
| Lumber,
FOB |
Yen per m3 |
| White Seraya (Sabah) 24x150mm,
4m, Grade 1 |
135,000 |
| Mixed Seraya, Sangi 24x48mm,
1.8-4m, S2S |
53,000 |
Wholesale Prices (Tokyo)
| Indonesian & Malaysian Plywood | Size (mm) |
Mar
|
Apr
|
|
(¥ per sheet)
|
|||
| 2.4mm (thin plywood, F 4star, type 2 ) | 920 X 1830 | 320 |
320
|
| 3.7mm (med. Thickness, F 4star, type1) | 910 X 1820 |
450
|
450
|
| 5.2mm (med. Thickness, F 4star, type 1) | 910 X 1820 |
560
|
560
|
| 11.5mm for sheathing (F 4star, type 2) | 910 X 1820 |
880
|
890
|
| 12mm for foundation (F 4star, special) | 910 X 1820 |
900
|
920
|
| 12mm concrete-form ply (JAS) | 900 X 1800 |
850
|
870
|
| 12m coated concrete-form ply (JAS) | 900 X 1800 |
950
|
1010
|
| 11.5mm flooring board | 945 X 1840 |
1100
|
1150
|
| 3.6mm baseboard for overlays (OVL) | 1230 X 2440 |
740
|
740
|
| OSB (North American) | |
||
| 12mm foundation of roof (JAS) | 910 X 1820 |
-
|
-
|
| 9mm foundation for 2 by 4 (JAS) | 910 X 2440 |
-
|
-
|
| 9mm conventional foundation (JAS) | 910 X 2730 |
-
|
-
|
| 9mm conventional foundation (JAS) | 910 X 3030 |
-
|
-
|