Japan Wood Products
Prices
Dollar Exchange Rates of
12th Aug 2010
Japan Yen 85.91
Reports From Japan
Consumer confidence slides in July
July consumer confidence level declined from the level recorded in June 2010. Before this, consumer confidence had risen since the beginning of 2010.
During the last couple of months, the Japanese Yen has appreciated sharply against the US dollar. This has had the effect of making Japanese exports more expensive in dollar terms and Japanese imports cheaper. In addition, the developed economies’ slow recovery from the global financial crisis is affecting Japan’s exports and undermines job creation and consumer sentiment.
Sarawak’s efforts to meet JFA guidelines
According to some sources, the Sarawak Chain-of-Custody (CoC) has been approved by the Japanese Forestry Agency (JFA) to meet their Guideline for Verification on Legality and Sustainability of Wood and Wood Products. However, this is not the case as JFA does not make any country CoC evaluation.
In July, at the meeting between the Sarawak Timber Association (STA) and the Japan Lumber Importers' Association (JLIA) in Sarawak, JLIA recognised that the Sarawak CoC could be used as evidence of legal timber. The recognition was based on the JFA Guidelines requesting the timber suppliers to have responsibility on timber sources with some evidence of using a verification method including Forest Certification System and Chain of Custody System.
However, since Japan is requesting a recognised forest certification for wood and wood product imports, it is important for Sarawak to also obtain forest certification for her timber products.
High demand for sawn softwood in Japan
EUWID reports that demand and prices for sawn softwood imports in Japan rose significantly during the first seven months of 2010. Especially high quality assortments have been in strong demand.
However, the supply of sawn softwood to Japan has been limited as the demand in Europe has also improved and ocean freight costs have been rising due to shortage of containers in the first half of 2010.
The low supply of sawn softwood products is causing hard time for Japanese gluelam manufacturers as there is no readily available alternative source of raw materials, says
EUWID.
Related News:
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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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