Japan: Firming log prices
The JLR is reporting that log stocks, built up when log
prices were lower than at present, have almost been sold.
Currently, higher priced logs are coming into the domestic
market and wholesale log prices are moving up. In
addition, higher FOB prices and the slightly weaker Yen
should add momentum to this upward trend in prices.
In early March Sarawak Meranti prices were up around
Yen 300 per Koku to Yen 6,200 while Meranti small logs
were at Yen 5,200 per koku. Sabah Kapur log prices
remain unchanged at Yen 8,900 per Koku.
Tropical log peeler mills in Japan are maintaining their reduced production levels. With signs of firming prices for imported plywood, these mills will soon have an opportunity to raise prices and this will lead them to increase log purchases.
According to the JLR, FOB prices have been increasing slowly but steadily in the face of a somewhat limited supply because of the rain season in Sarawak. The rain season will soon end but it will take time for log stocks to build again. Current export prices are at US$190 per cubic metre for Meranti regular and US$155 per cubic metre for Meranti small. Kapur prices are reported at almost US$260 per cubic metre in Sarawak and Sabah.
Japan
Log and Sawnwood Prices in Japan
Wholesale Prices (Tokyo)
Tropical log peeler mills in Japan are maintaining their reduced production levels. With signs of firming prices for imported plywood, these mills will soon have an opportunity to raise prices and this will lead them to increase log purchases.
According to the JLR, FOB prices have been increasing slowly but steadily in the face of a somewhat limited supply because of the rain season in Sarawak. The rain season will soon end but it will take time for log stocks to build again. Current export prices are at US$190 per cubic metre for Meranti regular and US$155 per cubic metre for Meranti small. Kapur prices are reported at almost US$260 per cubic metre in Sarawak and Sabah.
Log and Sawnwood Prices in Japan
| Logs for Ply
Manufacture, CIF Meranti (Hill, Sarawak) |
Yen per Koku (koku=0.278 m3) |
|
Medium Mixed
|
6,000 |
|
Standard Mixed
|
6,200 |
|
Small Log (SM60%,
SSM40%)
|
6,000 |
| Taun, Calophyllum, others (PNG) |
7,500 |
| 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) |
Feb
|
Mar
|
|
(¥ 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
|
910
|
| 12mm concrete-form ply (JAS) | 900 X 1800 |
850
|
870
|
| 12m coated concrete-form ply (JAS) | 900 X 1800 |
950
|
970
|
| 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 |
1000
|
1000
|
| 9mm foundation for 2 by 4 (JAS) | 910 X 2440 |
1050
|
1050
|
| 9mm conventional foundation (JAS) | 910 X 2730 |
1250
|
1250
|
| 9mm conventional foundation (JAS) | 910 X 3030 |
1350
|
1350
|