European trade representatives applaud Malaysia’s timber industry August 06, 2009
A visiting delegation of European timber trade
representatives to Sarawak called attention to the progress
made by the Malaysian timber industry to comply with EU
regulations. According to Bernama, the trip was organized
by the Sarawak Timber Industry Development
Corporation (STIDC) and the Malaysian Timber Council
(MTC).
Rachel Butler, head of sustainability for the UK Timber
Trade Federation, commended the Malaysian timber sector
for fast-tracking its compliance with EU requirements for
timber certification. She said current standards and
practices for sustainable production of timber in Malaysia
had placed the country a step ahead of a number of
tropical countries. Michele Eleoli, representing the Italian
Timber Federation, recommended Italian companies to
invest and set up factories in Malaysia in view of the
difficulties in finding skilled workers in Italy. Bert
Kattenbroek, representing the Dutch Association of
Joinery Companies, commented that its 250 member
companies consume about 120,000 m³ of tropical timber a
year, with 40% to 50% coming from Malaysia.
Green Furniture is key component of SIRIM’s industrial
research
SIRIM Bhd, a wholly government-owned company
involved in industrial research and development is gearing
up production of its ‘green furniture’ line as an alternative
to tropical timber furniture. Several prototypes of the
products had been developed under its advanced polymer
and composite programme, which utilizes a minimum of
60% of rice husk and rice straw bio-composite. Bernama noted the target markets for SIRIM’s Green Furniture will
be North America, Europe and the Far East and production
would be commercialized by 2010.
Morocco seen as attractive market for Malaysian furniture
Citing the popularity of Malaysian furniture in Morocco,
Mr. Othman Samin, Malaysian Ambassador to Morocco,
said Malaysian companies should consider participating in
the Moroccan construction and housing sectors. He called
attention to the ample opportunities for Malaysian timber
products manufacturers, reported Bernama. Total trade
between Morocco and Malaysia in 2008 was almost
RM234.2 million (USD65 million), with total Malaysian
exports reaching RM182.2 million (USD50.6 million).
Malaysian prices continue to fall
Malaysian timber prices remain depressed even as the two
economic stimulus packages announced earlier this year
have yet to make any impact on the local economy. The
spring remodelling and construction season in the northern
hemisphere has commenced, but many Malaysian timber
products manufacturers are still waiting for orders to come
in. Some manufacturers complained they have not had any
new orders for more than four months.
Malaysia Log Prices Malaysia
Log Prices
Sarawak
log, FOB
US$
per m³
Meranti SQ up
227-251
Small
211-242
Super small
200-224
Keruing SQ up
216-228
Small
187-218
Super small
162-193
Kapur SQ up
206-231
Selangan Batu SQ up
178-215
Pen. Malaysia
logs, domestic (SQ)
US$ per m³
DR Meranti
231-250
Balau
297-326
Merbau
319-352
Rubberwood
42-77
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
280-311
Seraya Scantlings (75x125 KD)
440-453⇓
Sepetir Boards
249-271
Sesendok 25,50mm
346-364 ⇓
Kembang Semangkok
294-317
Malaysian
Sawnwood, domestic
US$ per m³
Balau (25&50mm,100mm+)
325-345 ⇓
Merbau
461-512⇓
Kempas 50mmx (75,100 & 125mm)
260-300
Rubberwood
25x75x660mm up
196-246
50-75mm Sq.
237-269
>75mm Sq.
259-288
Malaysia Plywood Prices
Malaysia
ply MR BB/CC, FOB
US$
per m³
2.7mm
410-472 ⇓
3mm
387-417 ⇓
9mm & up
333-405
Meranti ply
BB/CC, domestic
US$ per m³
3mm
383-424 ⇓
12-18mm
317-346 ⇓
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
282-314
Domestic 12-18mm
271-289
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
501-510 ⇓
Malaysia
Furniture and Parts Prices
Malaysia,
Rubberwood, FOB
US$ per piece
Semi-finished dining table solid laminated top
2.5'x4', extension leaf
