Malaysia: Furniture exports set to recover
Exports of Malaysian furniture are expected to reach
RM10 billion for the current year according to the
Malaysian Deputy Plantation Industries and Commodities
Minister.
In 2009 furniture exports declined 12% to RM7.62 billion, while the decline of timber and rattan furniture, which constituted 84% of all furniture exports, fell just 7%.
Alternative materials for Malaysian furniture
The Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) will promote several alternative materials as suitable raw materials for the furniture industry. FRIM will display these materials during the Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF) 2010.
The objective in displaying the new raw materials is to help address raw material shortages facing the furniture manufacturing sector.
FRIM, the leading forestry research organization in Malaysia, is also a strategic business partner to the Malaysian timber industry. It has been in the forefront of research into fast growing tree species for the timber industry. FRIM is also an important centre for furniture testing.
Rubberwood from Thailand
The shortage of raw materials, particularly sawn rubberwood, in Malaysia has forced a number of manufacturers to purchase timber from neighbouring Thailand. However, competition for sawn rubberwood in Thailand is especially stiff as buyers for the Chinese market are active and placing huge orders.
Thailand consumes vast amounts of natural rubber for its production of vehicle tyres and automotive parts. Because of this strong demand and good prices for latex, rubber plantations are generating good returns and owners can keep the plantations standing, even when latex yields begin to decline. This is leading to a shortage of rubberwood logs.
Encouraging signs from EU buyers
Sawnwood producers and traders report encouraging news of orders originating from Europe. While the size of the orders do not indicate a major revival of the construction sector in the EU, these are being interpreted as indicating better demand for raw material for the manufacture of window and door frames.
Remodelling postponed
The financial crisis in Europe over the past two years resulted in many homeowners postponing planned remodelling or renovation work. As fears of another financial blow in the EU arising from the Greek economic situation fades, European homeowners are said to be showing signs of growing confidence and are looking to undertake repairs caused by storms over the past winter.
With news that prices of non-wood building material are set to rise, European consumers are reportedly reconsidering timber for reconstruction work. Analysts forecast a modest increase in purchases of plywood and a steady recovery in timber prices over the next few months.
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
In 2009 furniture exports declined 12% to RM7.62 billion, while the decline of timber and rattan furniture, which constituted 84% of all furniture exports, fell just 7%.
Alternative materials for Malaysian furniture
The Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) will promote several alternative materials as suitable raw materials for the furniture industry. FRIM will display these materials during the Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF) 2010.
The objective in displaying the new raw materials is to help address raw material shortages facing the furniture manufacturing sector.
FRIM, the leading forestry research organization in Malaysia, is also a strategic business partner to the Malaysian timber industry. It has been in the forefront of research into fast growing tree species for the timber industry. FRIM is also an important centre for furniture testing.
Rubberwood from Thailand
The shortage of raw materials, particularly sawn rubberwood, in Malaysia has forced a number of manufacturers to purchase timber from neighbouring Thailand. However, competition for sawn rubberwood in Thailand is especially stiff as buyers for the Chinese market are active and placing huge orders.
Thailand consumes vast amounts of natural rubber for its production of vehicle tyres and automotive parts. Because of this strong demand and good prices for latex, rubber plantations are generating good returns and owners can keep the plantations standing, even when latex yields begin to decline. This is leading to a shortage of rubberwood logs.
Encouraging signs from EU buyers
Sawnwood producers and traders report encouraging news of orders originating from Europe. While the size of the orders do not indicate a major revival of the construction sector in the EU, these are being interpreted as indicating better demand for raw material for the manufacture of window and door frames.
Remodelling postponed
The financial crisis in Europe over the past two years resulted in many homeowners postponing planned remodelling or renovation work. As fears of another financial blow in the EU arising from the Greek economic situation fades, European homeowners are said to be showing signs of growing confidence and are looking to undertake repairs caused by storms over the past winter.
With news that prices of non-wood building material are set to rise, European consumers are reportedly reconsidering timber for reconstruction work. Analysts forecast a modest increase in purchases of plywood and a steady recovery in timber prices over the next few months.
Malaysia Log Prices
| Sarawak log, FOB | US$ per m³ |
| Meranti SQ up | 228-252 ⇑ |
|
Small
|
212-243 ⇑ |
|
Super small
|
204-228 ⇑ |
| Keruing SQ up | 217-229 ⇑ |
|
Small
|
196-226 |
|
Super small
|
174-204 |
| Kapur SQ up | 207-232 |
| Selangan Batu SQ up | 185-222 |
| Pen. Malaysia logs, domestic (SQ) | US$ per m³ |
| DR Meranti | 234-253 ⇑ |
| Balau | 299-328 ⇑ |
| Merbau | 326-358 ⇑ |
| Rubberwood | 62-96 ⇑ |
| Keruing | 217-233 ⇑ |
| 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 |
393-429 |
|
| White Meranti A & up |
282-312 ⇑
|
|
| Seraya Scantlings (75x125 KD) |
433-446
|
|
| Sepetir Boards |
251-273 ⇑
|
|
| Sesendok 25,50mm |
345-363
|
|
| Kembang Semangkok |
297-320 ⇑
|
|
| Malaysian Sawnwood, domestic |
US$ per m³
|
|
| Balau (25&50mm,100mm+) |
325-345
|
|
| Merbau |
454-506 ⇑
|
|
| Kempas 50mmx (75,100 & 125mm) |
261-301
|
|
| Rubberwood | 25x75x660mm up |
209-259 ⇑
|
| 50-75mm Sq. |
248-280 ⇑
|
|
| >75mm Sq. |
270-299 ⇑
|
|
Malaysia Plywood Prices
| Malaysia ply MR BB/CC, FOB | US$ per m³ |
| 2.7mm |
404-466
|
| 3mm |
384-414
|
| 9mm & up |
331-403 ⇑
|
| Meranti ply BB/CC, domestic | US$ per m³ |
|
3mm
|
330-421 ⇑
|
|
12-18mm
|
314-343 ⇑
|
Other Malaysia Panel Prices
| Malaysia, Other Panels, FOB | US$ per m³ |
| Particleboard Export 12mm & up |
227-250 ⇑
|
|
Domestic 12mm & up
|
212-229
|
| MDF Export 15-19mm |
280-311 ⇑
|
|
Domestic 12-18mm
|
270-288
|
Malaysia Added Value Product Prices
| Malaysia, Mouldings, FOB | US$ per m³ |
| Selagan Batu Decking |
533-543 ⇑
|
| Red Meranti Mouldings 11x68/92mm x 7ft up | |
|
Grade A
|
548-561 ⇑
|
|
Grade B
|
501-511 ⇑
|
Malaysia Furniture and Parts Prices
| Malaysia, Rubberwood, FOB | US$ per piece | |
| Semi-finished dining table solid laminated top 2.5'x4', extension leaf |
62-78
|
|
| As above, Oak Veneer |
69-83
|
|
| Windsor Chair |
61-63
|
|
| Colonial Chair |
59-64
|
|
| Queen Anne Chair (soft seat) | without arm |
59-67
|
| with arm |
59-68
|
|
| Chair Seat 27x430x500mm |
47-52
|
|
| Rubberwood Tabletop | US$ per m³ | |
| 22x760x1220mm sanded & edge profiled | ||
|
Top Grade
|
573-606 ⇑ | |
|
Standard
|
557-576 ⇑ | |