Malaysian timber sector pins hopes on Japan imports
Prices of Malaysian timber products increased substantially as shortages of raw materials became critical as a result of tropical thunderstorms. Barring bad weather, it remains to be seen if there are sufficient strong business fundamentals in the international business environment to lift up the Malaysian timber market in the long run.
However, two foreign brokerages, Merrill Lynch and Credit Suisse have issued calls to upgrade the timber sector, according to StarBiz. Prices of plywood have hit bottom and Japanese regulatory bodies are relaxing some rules and regulations concerning the Japanese construction industry. This may help accelerate timber trade with Japan.
Malaysia Log Prices
| Sarawak log, FOB | US$ per m3 |
| Meranti SQ up | 297-318↑ |
| Small | 273-293↑ |
| Super small | 262-271↑ |
| Keruing SQ up | 270-281↑ |
| Small | 237-267↑ |
| Super small | 226-235↑ |
| Kapur SQ up | 245-262↑ |
| Selangan Batu SQ up | 270-292 |
| Pen. Malaysia logs, domestic (SQ) | US$ per m3 |
| DR Meranti | 352-394↑ |
| Balau | 287-316↑ |
| Merbau | 414-437↑ |
| Rubberwood | 239-258↑ |
| Keruing | 280-293↑ |
| 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 | 428-452↑ |
|
| Seraya Scantlings (75x125 KD) | 707-744↓ |
|
| Sepetir Boards | 325-335↑ |
|
| Sesendok 25,50mm | 444-473 |
|
| Kembang Semangkok | 424-442 |
|
| Malaysian Sawnwood, domestic | US$ per m3 |
|
| Balau (25&50mm,100mm+) | 343-363 |
|
| Merbau | 558-577 |
|
| Kempas 50mmx (75,100 & 125mm) | 289-309↑ |
|
| Rubberwood | 25x75x660mm up | 281-309↑ |
| 50-75mm Sq. | 303-328↑ |
|
| >75mm Sq. | 315-347↑ |
|
Malaysia Plywood Prices
| Malaysia ply MR BB/CC, FOB | US$ per m3 |
| 2.7mm | 479-505↑ |
| 3mm | 456-481↑ |
| 9mm & up | 414-437↑ |
| Meranti ply BB/CC, domestic | US$ per m3 |
| 3mm | 455-465↑ |
| 12-18mm | 394-402↑ |
Other Malaysia Panel Prices
| Malaysia, Other Panels, FOB | US$ per m3 |
| Particleboard Export 12mm & up | 230-248↑ |
| Domestic 12mm & up | 218-235↑ |
| MDF Export 15-19mm | 296-320↑ |
| Domestic 12-18mm | 271-289↑ |
Malaysia Added Value Product Prices
| Malaysia, Mouldings, FOB | US$ per m3 |
| Selagan Batu Decking | 677-695 |
| Red Meranti Mouldings 11x68/92mm x 7ft up | |
| Grade A | 714-734 |
| Grade B | 629-646 |
Malaysia Furniture and Parts Prices
| Malaysia, Rubberwood, FOB | US$ per piece | |
| Semi-finished dining table solid laminated top 2.5'x4', extension leaf | 56-72↑ |
|
| As above, Oak Veneer | 63-77↑ |
|
| Windsor Chair | 54-57↑ |
|
| Colonial Chair | 47-55↑ |
|
| Queen Anne Chair (soft seat) | without arm | 48-61↑ |
| with arm | 52-61↑ |
|
| Chair Seat 27x430x500mm | 35-40↑ |
|
| Rubberwood Tabletop | US$ per m3 | |
| 22x760x1220mm sanded & edge profiled | ||
| Top Grade | 620-630↑ | |
| Standard | 587-606 | |