Malaysia’s exports fall 15.9% in February April 19, 2009
Malaysia’s exports fell 15.9% in February 2009, when
compared to February 2008 exports, as reported on
CNBC.com. Exports in January 2009 declined 27.8%
compared to the previous year, the steepest decline in
nearly 30 years. Economists commented that the current
economy is performing better than predicted, but cautioned that a decline in exports at least over the next
few months will hover in the realm of 20%.
Timber prices steady but may not hold
Prices of Malaysian timber products remain weak but
steady as thunderstorms continue to hammer the country,
making timber extraction difficult. However, prices are not
expected to hold. Foreclosures of both private and
commercial properties were on the increase in the wake of
massive layoffs by major MNCs and a slump in domestic
demand. At the forefront of the layoffs were suppliers of
major building/construction material and household
accessories.
Prices of residential properties, often propped up by
foreign investors and speculators, may actually decline for
the first time. Some analysts commented that the
Malaysian economy will take 2 to 3 years to recover, and
will do so only after there is some upturn in the US
economy.
Malaysia Log Prices Malaysia
Log Prices
Sarawak
log, FOB
US$
per m³
Meranti SQ up
230-254
Small
212-243 ⇑
Super small
201-225 ⇑
Keruing SQ up
217-229
Small
187-218
Super small
162-193 ⇑
Kapur SQ up
207-232
Selangan Batu SQ up
178-215
Pen. Malaysia
logs, domestic (SQ)
US$ per m³
DR Meranti
232-251
Balau
300-327
Merbau
324-359 ⇓
Rubberwood
40-75 ⇓
Keruing
216-232
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
282-313
Seraya Scantlings (75x125 KD)
455-470⇓
Sepetir Boards
251-273
Sesendok 25,50mm
355-373 ⇓
Kembang Semangkok
296-319
Malaysian
Sawnwood, domestic
US$ per m³
Balau (25&50mm,100mm+)
335-355 ⇓
Merbau
479-531⇓
Kempas 50mmx (75,100 & 125mm)
266-306
Rubberwood
25x75x660mm up
194-244
50-75mm Sq.
236-268
>75mm Sq.
258-287
Malaysia Plywood Prices
Malaysia
ply MR BB/CC, FOB
US$
per m³
2.7mm
416-478 ⇓
3mm
393-423
9mm & up
338-410
Meranti ply
BB/CC, domestic
US$ per m³
3mm
389-430
12-18mm
323-352
Other
Malaysia Panel Prices
Malaysia,
Other Panels, FOB
US$
per m³
Particleboard Export 12mm & up
230-253
Domestic 12mm & up
215-232
MDF
Export 15-19mm
285-317
Domestic 12-18mm
274-292
Malaysia
Added Value Product Prices
Malaysia,
Mouldings, FOB
US$
per m³
Selagan Batu Decking
550-560 ⇓
Red Meranti Mouldings 11x68/92mm x 7ft up
Grade A
566-579 ⇓
Grade B
517-526 ⇓
Malaysia
Furniture and Parts Prices
Malaysia,
Rubberwood, FOB
US$ per piece
Semi-finished dining table solid laminated top
2.5'x4', extension leaf
