The Malaysian Plantation and Commodities Ministry said that the Malaysian timber industry is projected to meet its export target of RM20 billion to RM21 billion, which is close to the RM20.5 billion exports in 2010.
The Malaysian timber industry is still battling the effects of the 2009 global financial crisis and weakness in the US economy as well as the effects of the Euro debt crisis, which have given rise to weak demand for Malaysian timber products in affected markets.
In addition, unrest in some Middle East countries has added to the toll on the Malaysian timber industry. The Ministry added that local timber consumption stands at about RM7 billion per year, with demand coming mainly from the local building and construction sector.
Encouraging furniture export earnings as markets are diversified
Exports of Malaysian made furniture products are likely to be between RM7 billion to RM7.5 billion this year compared with RM7.95 billion last year says the Malaysian Furniture Entrepreneurs Association (MFEA). The association had projected a 15% drop in exports to RM6.8 billion earlier this year.
From January to August this year, the value of furniture exports from Malaysia stood at RM4.9 billion, a decline of 7.9% compared with RM5.3 billion for the same period last year. However, demand in the second quarter improved with exports to Japan, India, Russia and Saudi Arabia picking up.
Exports to Japan increased to RM554 million during the January-August period compared with RM433 million in the same period last year. This performance elevated Japan to the second largest market for MFEA members; contributing about 8.9% or RM709 million out of a total of RM7.9 5 billion export revenue in 2010. Furniture exports to India also improved to RM171 million during the same eight months compared with RM137 million previously. Exports to the US also improved considerably.
Exports to Saudi Arabia grew to RM101 million in the first eight months compared with RM88 million a year earlier, while exports to Russia improved to RM51 million up from RM43 million previously. The weakening of the Malaysian currency against the US dollar by 3 - 5% in the third quarter of this year contributed to the increase in exports.
Malaysia Log PricesMalaysia Log Prices
Sarawak log, FOB | US$ per m³ |
Meranti SQ up | 265-292 |
Small
|
253-286 |
Super small
|
255-279 |
Keruing SQ up | 247-259 |
Small
|
238-271 |
Super small
|
227-251 |
Kapur SQ up | 239-265 |
Selangan Batu SQ up | 244-278 |
Pen. Malaysia logs, domestic (SQ) | US$ per m³ |
DR Meranti | 283-302 |
Balau | 325-355 |
Merbau | 378-409 |
Rubberwood | 106-140 |
Keruing | 247-263 |
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 | |
DR Meranti | 413-449▼ | |
White Meranti A & up |
309-339
|
|
Seraya Scantlings (75x125 KD) |
449-461 ▼
|
|
Sepetir Boards |
277-306
|
|
Sesendok 25,50mm |
363-381
|
|
Kembang Semangkok |
344-373
|
|
Malaysian Sawnwood, domestic |
US$ per m³
|
|
Balau (25&50mm,100mm+) |
346-366
|
|
Merbau |
486-538
|
|
Kempas 50mmx (75,100 & 125mm) |
290-330
|
|
Rubberwood | 25x75x660mm up |
237-288
|
50-75mm Sq. |
276-308
|
|
>75mm Sq. |
298-328
|
Malaysia Plywood Prices
Malaysia ply MR BB/CC, FOB | US$ per m³ |
2.7mm |
445-506 ▼
|
3mm |
427-457 ▼
|
9mm & up |
378-448 ▼
|
Meranti ply BB/CC, domestic | US$ per m³ |
3mm
|
370-460 ▼
|
12-18mm
|
353-382 ▼
|
Other Malaysia Panel Prices
Malaysia, Other Panels, FOB | US$ per m³ |
Particleboard Export 12mm & up |
262-285 ▼
|
Domestic 12mm & up
|
253-267 ▼
|
MDF Export 15-19mm |
313-345 ▼
|
Domestic 12-18mm
|
305-324 ▼
|
Malaysia Added Value Product Prices
Malaysia, Mouldings, FOB | US$ per m³ |
Selagan Batu Decking |
576-586
|
Red Meranti Mouldings 11x68/92mm x 7ft up | |
Grade A
|
590-603
|
Grade B
|
545-555
|
Malaysia Furniture and Parts Prices
Malaysia, Rubberwood, FOB | US$ per piece | |
Semi-finished dining table solid laminated top 2.5'x4', extension leaf |
79-95
|
|
As above, Oak Veneer |
86-100
|
|
Windsor Chair |
78-80
|
|
Colonial Chair |
76-81
|
|
Queen Anne Chair (soft seat) | without arm |
78-87
|
with arm |
78-88
|
|
Chair Seat 27x430x500mm |
64-69
|
|
Rubberwood Tabletop | US$ per m³ | |
22x760x1220mm sanded & edge profiled | ||
Top Grade
|
634-664 | |
Standard
|
617-633 |