Malaysian timber producers brace for turbulent market prospects June 02, 2008
Prices for Malaysian timber products were under pressure as crude oil prices continued to climb, with some expecting such price rises to set off another round of hikes in international freight charges. Local transportation and labor costs are also rising and are already impacting manufacturers. With falling orders from its most important market, the US, Malaysian furniture manufacturers are facing the prospect of a bleak period for the rest of the current year. Malaysian furniture manufacturers are also facing stiff competition from Vietnam.
Vietnam poised to overtake surpass Malaysia in furniture exports
Viet Nam News reported that the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade hoped furniture exports would reach USD5.5 billion by 2010 and would surpass China and Malaysia in its exports to the US. Vietnam had also a larger number of Forest Stewardship Council certified furniture manufacturers than Indonesia and Malaysia, giving products a greater competitive advantage in export markets. The Vietnamese Forest Products and Wood Industry Association said it will spend over USD300,000 to organize trade promotion programmes in an effort to boost domestic timber export competitiveness of domestic wood furniture manufacturers. Furniture exports in the first four months of 2008 rose 20% from 2007 levels.
Malaysia launches timber technology and engineering portal
In its latest effort to promote Malaysian timber products, the Forestry Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM), the Natural Resource and Environment Ministry and the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities have jointly launched the Timber Technology and Engineering Information Resources (TTEIR) portal. Bernama noted that the portal would contain information on over 100 timber species and include special programmes to help architects design timber components in buildings. The portal can be found at http://timbertech.frim.gov.my/.
Malaysia
Log Prices
Sarawak log, FOB
US$ per m3
Meranti SQ up
298-320 ⬇
Small
275-295 ⬇
Super small
268-275 ⬇
Keruing SQ up
273-283 ⬇
Small
240-272 ⬇
Super small
233-238 ⬇
Kapur SQ up
250-268 ⬇
Selangan Batu SQ up
274-296 ⬇
Pen. Malaysia logs, domestic (SQ)
US$ per m3
DR Meranti
356-399
Balau
295-325
Merbau
417-440 ⬇
Rubberwood
253-273 ⬆
Keruing
286-300
Peninsular
Malaysian meranti logs are top grade and are used for scantlings for
the EU. Their prices are higher than Sarawak’s.
Malaysia
Sawnwood Prices
Malaysia Sawnwood,
FOB
US$ per m3
White Meranti A & up
432-457 ⬇
Seraya Scantlings (75x125 KD)
707-746 ⬇
Sepetir Boards
335-345
Sesendok 25,50mm
447-477 ⬇
Kembang Semangkok
428-449 ⬇
Malaysian Sawnwood, domestic
US$ per m3
Balau (25&50mm,100mm+)
348-368
Merbau
559-582 ⬇
Kempas 50mmx (75,100 & 125mm)
297-314
Rubberwood
25x75x660mm up
290-321
50-75mm Sq.
313-338
>75mm Sq.
325-357
Malaysia Plywood Prices
Malaysia ply MR BB/CC, FOB
US$ per m3
2.7mm
482-510 ⬇
3mm
462-488 ⬇
9mm & up
423-446 ⬇
Meranti ply BB/CC, domestic
US$ per m3
3mm
460-470 ⬇
12-18mm
403-411 ⬇
Other
Malaysia Panel Prices
Malaysia, Other Panels, FOB
US$ per m3
Particleboard Export 12mm & up
241-258
Domestic 12mm & up
231-247
MDF
Export 15-19mm
306-329
Domestic 12-18mm
281-300
Malaysia
Added Value Product Prices
Malaysia, Mouldings, FOB
US$ per m3
Selagan Batu Decking
681-699 ⬇
Red Meranti Mouldings 11x68/92mm x 7ft up
Grade A
717-737 ⬇
Grade B
635-653 ⬇
Malaysia Furniture and Parts Prices
Malaysia,
Rubberwood, FOB
US$ per piece
Semi-finished dining table solid laminated top
2.5'x4', extension leaf
