The Malaysian plantation industries and commodities
minister said that loan agreements with a value of over
RM230 million had been agreed to fund the development
of forest plantations.
Some RM1 billion has reportedly been set aside for this
purpose in the form of soft loans. The government has set
a target of 375,000 ha. of forest plantations to be planted.
SAFODA finance
The Sabah Forestry Development Authority (Safoda) in
East Malaysia became the first Sabah-based company to
obtain finance from the federal government for its forest
plantation programme.
Transparency at work
The Malaysian Auditor-General’s Report for 2008
highlights the illegal activities and poor management
which were the main factors in the reduction of the forest
area in the state of Pahang in West Malaysia. This, says
the report, has contributed to air and water pollution and
the destruction of both flora and fauna habitats in the state.
The report also noted that although over 100,000 ha. of
forest had been earmarked as forest reserve, it took more
than 10 years for the areas to be so gazetted by the state
forestry department.
Middle East construction boom over
Prices of timber products in Malaysia sank to new lows
recently as the impact of a slow down in construction
projects, especially in the Middle-East, hit demand.
Malaysian contractors operating construction projects in
the Middle East are facing considerable difficulties.
High prices for crude oil, which peaked in 2008, resulted
in a building boom in the region but now there are few
new construction projects in the pipeline and contractors
are seeing business fade away.
Malaysia Log Prices Malaysia
Log Prices
Sarawak
log, FOB
US$
per m³
Meranti SQ up
226-250
Small
210-241
Super small
200-224
Keruing SQ up
216-228
Small
190-220
Super small
167-197
Kapur SQ up
206-231
Selangan Batu SQ up
179-216
Pen. Malaysia
logs, domestic (SQ)
US$ per m³
DR Meranti
231-250
Balau
297-326
Merbau
323-355
Rubberwood
50-84
Keruing
214-230
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
280-310 ⇓
Seraya Scantlings (75x125 KD)
433-446 ⇓
Sepetir Boards
249-271
Sesendok 25,50mm
345-363 ⇓
Kembang Semangkok
293-316 ⇑
Malaysian
Sawnwood, domestic
US$ per m³
Balau (25&50mm,100mm+)
325-345
Merbau
452-504 ⇓
Kempas 50mmx (75,100 & 125mm)
260-300
Rubberwood
25x75x660mm up
199-249
50-75mm Sq.
240-272
>75mm Sq.
262-291
Malaysia Plywood Prices
Malaysia
ply MR BB/CC, FOB
US$
per m³
2.7mm
405-467 ⇓
3mm
385-415 ⇓
9mm & up
331-403 ⇓
Meranti ply
BB/CC, domestic
US$ per m³
3mm
380-421 ⇓
12-18mm
314-343 ⇓
Other
Malaysia Panel Prices
Malaysia,
Other Panels, FOB
US$
per m³
Particleboard Export 12mm & up
226-249
Domestic 12mm & up
211-228
MDF
Export 15-19mm
279-310 ⇓
Domestic 12-18mm
270-288
Malaysia
Added Value Product Prices
Malaysia,
Mouldings, FOB
US$
per m³
Selagan Batu Decking
528-538 ⇑
Red Meranti Mouldings 11x68/92mm x 7ft up
Grade A
543-556 ⇓
Grade B
496-505 ⇓
Malaysia
Furniture and Parts Prices
Malaysia,
Rubberwood, FOB
US$ per piece
Semi-finished dining table solid laminated top
2.5'x4', extension leaf
