| Malaysia: Decline in timber business expected after Chinese New Year |
| 04/02/2009 - 12:48 |
Malaysian prices continued to decline as the global
economic slowdown continued. BTimes indicated that the
price decline was further aggravated by the worst slump in
US lumber prices in almost 18 years and shares of
Malaysian timber companies were equally negatively
affected. However, the full impact of the drop in prices
was paused due to the closure of businesses during the
annual Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations.
Nevertheless, the decline in prices is expected to persist
after the New Year festivities.
Low growth of GDP anticipated in 2009
Analysts expected Malaysia’s GDP growth to be between
1.1% and 2.2% in 2009 as the national economy contracts,
reported Bernama News. Unemployment is expected to hit
4.7% and market conditions continue to be bleak. The
Malaysian Ringitt fell for the third week in the wake of
speculations that the central bank will cut interest rates to
stimulate economic growth and aid local exporters.
DRC cancelled contracts could provide Malaysia with
opportunity
The Independent reported on traders’ hopes that Malaysian
sawnwood suppliers can fill the void created by the
cancelled contracts in the Democratic Republic of Congo
(see West/Central Africa section). However, the EU, one
of the major destinations for timber from the DRC may
prove to be elusive for Malaysian timber suppliers as EU
shares fell to a six-year low, according to The Guardian.
Economic data indicated the UK economy went into
recession at the end of 2008 and contracted 1.5% in the
fourth quarter of 2008.
Government decides to reduce export of natural rubber
Btimes reported on Malaysia’s decision to reduce the
export of natural rubber by 5% to 57,050 tons in year
2009. As a result of this measure, more rubber plantations
can be replanted or converted into alternative commercial
projects. This would mean that more rubberwood would
be available as raw material, thus reducing pressure on
rubberwood prices.
Malaysia Log Prices
Malaysia
Log Prices
| Sarawak
log, FOB |
US$
per m³ |
| Meranti SQ up |
231-255 ⇓ |
|
Small
|
211-242 ⇓ |
|
Super small
|
199-224 ⇓ |
| Keruing SQ up |
218-230 ⇓ |
|
Small
|
187-218 ⇓ |
|
Super small
|
161-192 ⇓ |
| Kapur SQ up |
208-233 ⇓ |
| Selangan Batu SQ up |
178-215 |
|
| Pen. Malaysia
logs, domestic (SQ) |
US$ per m³ |
| DR Meranti |
234-253 ⇓ |
| Balau |
302-327 ⇑ |
| Merbau |
332-367 ⇓
|
| Rubberwood |
41-77 ⇓ |
| Keruing |
217-233 ⇓ |
| 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 |
284-315 ⇓
|
| Seraya Scantlings (75x125 KD) |
465-480 ⇓
|
| Sepetir Boards |
252-274 ⇓
|
| Sesendok 25,50mm |
361-379 ⇓
|
| Kembang Semangkok |
296-319 ⇓
|
|
| Malaysian
Sawnwood, domestic |
US$ per m³
|
| Balau (25&50mm,100mm+) |
341-361 ⇓
|
| Merbau |
492-544 ⇓
|
| Kempas 50mmx (75,100 & 125mm) |
266-306 ⇓
|
| Rubberwood |
25x75x660mm up |
195-245 ⇓
|
| 50-75mm Sq. |
237-269 ⇓
|
| >75mm Sq. |
259-286 ⇓
|
Malaysia Plywood Prices
| Malaysia
ply MR BB/CC, FOB |
US$
per m³ |
| 2.7mm |
423-485 ⇓
|
| 3mm |
396-426 ⇓
|
| 9mm & up |
341-413 ⇓
|
| Meranti ply
BB/CC, domestic |
US$ per m³ |
|
3mm
|
392-433 ⇓
|
|
12-18mm
|
326-355 ⇓
|
Other
Malaysia Panel Prices
| Malaysia,
Other Panels, FOB |
US$
per m³ |
| Particleboard Export 12mm & up |
231-254 ⇓
|
|
Domestic 12mm & up
|
216-233 ⇓
|
| MDF
Export 15-19mm |
286-318 ⇓
|
|
Domestic 12-18mm
|
275-293 ⇓
|
Malaysia
Added Value Product Prices
| Malaysia,
Mouldings, FOB |
US$
per m³ |
| Selagan Batu Decking |
563-573 ⇓
|
| Red Meranti Mouldings 11x68/92mm x 7ft up |
|
Grade A
|
579-592 ⇓
|
|
Grade B
|
530-539 ⇓
|
Malaysia
Furniture and Parts Prices
| Malaysia,
Rubberwood, FOB |
US$ per piece |
| Semi-finished dining table solid laminated top
2.5'x4', extension leaf |
58-74 ⇓
|
| As above, Oak Veneer |
65-79 ⇓
|
| Windsor Chair |
57-59 ⇓
|
| Colonial Chair |
55-60 ⇓
|
| Queen Anne Chair (soft seat) |
without arm |
55-63 ⇓
|
| with arm |
55-64 ⇓
|
| Chair Seat 27x430x500mm |
43-48 ⇓
|
| Rubberwood
Tabletop |
US$ per m³ |
| 22x760x1220mm sanded & edge
profiled |
|
Top Grade
|
570-602 ⇓ |
|
Standard
|
565-574 ⇓ |
|
| (ITTO's Tropical Timber Market Report) |
 |
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