Malaysian timber companies greeted the New Year in a
positive mood now there seems some improvement in
demand.
The global economic slowdown considerably weakened
the demand for Malaysian timber products. In the worst of
the crisis production in Malaysia fell almost 40%, with
plywood and other panel product manufacturers being
hardest hit.
The trade is anticipating growing demand for certified
timber products which will give a boost to products from
plantation timbers.
In addition to the modest improvements in demand for
primary products, producers report that demand for
Malaysian furniture seems to be picking up after a tough
2009.
International buyers are slowly returning to the Malaysian
market after a one year absence it seems. The trade in
Malaysia suggests that the main reasons for their return
even in continuing difficult trading conditions is the high
quality of workmanship and the ability of Malaysian
companies to deliver on time.
Although furniture from China is competitive in terms of
pricing, timely delivery remains a major problem for some
overseas buyers who want just in time deliveries.
The secretary-general of the Malaysian Ministry of
International Trade and Industry (MITI) commented that
the country is ready for the full implementation of the
ASEAN-China free trade agreement (FTA).
Businesses in the country are ready to do business with the
trading bloc of almost 2 billion consumers in ASEAN,
with a combined gross domestic product (GDP) of around
US$5 trillion.
Beginning January 1, 2010, China and the Asean-6,
(Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore
and Thailand), will ensure full implementation of the FTA
by eliminating the duties on up to 90% of products
according to the agreement.
China is Malaysia's fourth largest trading partner, after
Singapore, the US and Japan, with trade in 2008 amounted
to RM130 billion, or 11% of Malaysia's global trade in
total. Malaysia's exports to China in 2008 amounted to
RM63 billion, which accounted for almost one-tenth of
global exports. In the first 3 quarters of 2009, trade with
China amounted to RM89 billion, with exports standing at
RM46.8 billion.
Malaysia Log Prices Malaysia
Log Prices
Sarawak
log,
FOB
US$
per m³
Meranti SQ up
227-251 ⇑
Small
211-242 ⇑
Super small
202-226 ⇑
Keruing SQ up
216-228
Small
194-224 ⇑
Super small
172-202 ⇑
Kapur SQ up
206-231
Selangan Batu SQ up
183-220 ⇑
Pen. Malaysia
logs, domestic (SQ)
US$ per m³
DR Meranti
233-252 ⇑
Balau
298-327 ⇑
Merbau
323-355
Rubberwood
55-89 ⇑
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
281-311 ⇑
Seraya Scantlings (75x125 KD)
432-445 ⇑
Sepetir Boards
250-272 ⇑
Sesendok 25,50mm
345-363
Kembang Semangkok
294-317
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
204-254 ⇑
50-75mm Sq.
244-276 ⇑
>75mm Sq.
266-295 ⇑
Malaysia Plywood Prices
Malaysia
ply
MR
BB/CC,
FOB
US$
per m³
2.7mm
404-466
3mm
384-414
9mm & up
330-402
Meranti ply
BB/CC, domestic
US$ per m³
3mm
329-420
12-18mm
313-342
Other
Malaysia Panel Prices
Malaysia,
Other
Panels,
FOB
US$
per m³
Particleboard Export 12mm & up
226-249
Domestic 12mm & up
212-229 ⇑
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
529-539 ⇑
Red Meranti Mouldings 11x68/92mm x 7ft up
Grade A
544-557 ⇑
Grade B
497-506 ⇑
Malaysia
Furniture and Parts Prices
Malaysia,
Rubberwood, FOB
US$ per piece
Semi-finished dining table solid laminated top
2.5'x4', extension leaf
