Japan Wood Products
Prices
Dollar Exchange Rates of
28th November 2009
Japan Yen 89.12
Reports From Japan
Bearish plywood markets
The JLR is saying that the continuing weak demand and
uncertain economic outlook is making it extremely
difficult for traders to move either imported or locally
manufactured plywood. Sales in October were particularly
weak, says the JLR, because housing starts remain low and
the prospects for the final month of the year are not good.
Imported plywood inventories are said to be low with
traders having cut back on imports mainly because
exporters are asking higher prices which is out of the
question at the moment given the weak market conditions
in Japan.
Wood promotion
The Japanese Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and
Fisheries has reportedly established a wood utilisation
promotion team. The objective is to contribute to green
house gas emission reduction efforts. Part of the work of
the team will entail investigating how best to utilise forest
plantation thinnings which are currently left unused in the
plantations. The work will also involve considering
promotion of wood use and investment in processing
facilities.
Rain season log shortages
The rain season has started early in Borneo and reports are
saying that, even though logging conditions are not that
bad, inventories at the port are lower than normal at this
time of the year. The main problem is that it now takes
longer to get the logs down river from the logging areas.
Shipping delays have been reported, says the JLR, at
Tanjung Mani, Miri port at Kuala Balam and Bintulu.
Eco-plywood
In its end November issue the Japan Lumber Reports
(JLR) says that Sumitomo Forestry will start marketing
Indonesian made plywood manufactured from certified
raw material and/or with plantation timbers. This is said to
be part of Sumiomo’s effort to extend its contribution to
environmental sustainability. Some revenues will be reinvested
to rehabilitate areas damaged by fires and
indigenous species will be used.
|
Abbreviations
| LM Loyale Merchant, a grade of log parcel |
Cu.m
Cubic Metre |
| QS Qualite Superieure |
Koku 0.278 Cu.m or 120BF |
| CI Choix Industriel
|
FFR
French Franc |
| CE
Choix Economique |
SQ
Sawmill Quality |
| CS Choix Supplimentaire |
SSQ
Select Sawmill Quality |
| FOB Free-on-Board |
FAS Sawnwood Grade First and |
| KD Kiln Dry |
Second |
| AD Air Dry |
WBP Water and Boil Proof |
| Boule A Log Sawn Through and Through |
MR
Moisture Resistant |
|
the boards from one log are bundled |
pc per piece |
|
together |
ea
each |
| BB/CC Plywood
grades. Letter(s) on the left indicate face veneer(s), those on the right backing
veneer(s). Veneer grade decreases in order B, BB, C, CC, etc. |
MBF 1000 Board Feet
|
|
Plywood |
MDF Medium
Density Fibreboard |
| BF Board Foot |
F.CFA
CFA Franc
|
| Sq.Ft Square
Foot |
PHND
Pin hole no defect grade |
| Hoppus ton 1.8 cubic metres |
  Price has moved up or down |
|
|
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