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International Plywood and Veneer Prices 

16-31th August 2005


International  Plywood  and  Veneer  Prices   
 

INDONESIA

Prices for Indonesian timber products are not available.

Indonesian rupiah slide to 45-month low

The rupiah drop to a 45‑month low against the USD in late August. The USD traded at just under 10,840, 11% depreciation since January 2005 (9% in the last two weeks of August). 

Confidence was mainly hit by high oil prices which are hurting government finances. The government spends nearly US$14b a year (about a third of central government expenditure) on fuel subsidies. 

The Indonesian Central Bank raised 75 points its bench mark interest to 9.5%, a two‑year high, to arrest the slump in the currency. Analysts expect the government to take further measures to shore up confidence. 

Plywood production declined again

Plywood output slipped in 2004 according to ITTO¡¯s Annual Review, amid a shortage of raw supplies and a slow down in international demand. Plywood production declined to 6.4m m3 in 2004, down from 6.74m m3 in 2003, 7.3m m3 in 2001 and 8.2m m3 in 2000. 

According to the European Plywood Federation FEIC, Indonesian plywood exports reached 5.2m m3 in 2004, down 6% from 2003. This year exports are expected to fall below 5m m3. Indonesian exporters have lost market share in Japan, the EU, Taiwan P.O.C. and China to Chinese suppliers. 

Indonesia is trying to focus production on processed plywood grades aiming to enter new markets for niche products. Plywood mills are also intensifying the production of particle boards, blockboard and MDF.   

BRAZIL 

Plywood exports declined in July

According to the Ministry of Development, Industry and Commerce, Brazilian exports of solid wood products, especially lumber and plywood, have fallen consecutively in volume during the past few

months. Analysts say that this was a result of the steady strengthening of the Brazilian currency, the impact of tariff duties imposed by the USA and the EU on some key products and growing competition from China. Many lumber and plywood producers are said to be exporting in order to fulfill current contracts while new contracts at same prices are less unlikely as a result of an unfavourable exchange rate.

 

The value of Brazilian exports of solid wood products increased 6% from January to July 2005, as compared with the same period in 2004, from US$1.66b to US$ 1.75b. Tropical plywood accounted for the largest fall in exported volume, declining 42%, from 41,800 m³ (US$38.7m) in July 2004 to 24,400 m³ (US$ 20.9m) in July 2005. Exports of pine plywood also contracted 35% from 64,700 m³ (US$47.2m) in July 2004 to 99,000 m³ (US$29.4m) in July 2005.

 

In contrast, monthly exports of furniture kept reaching new highs. Furniture exports increased to US$ 77.8m in July 2005, up 0.2% from July 2004 (US$77.7m). 

Tropical plywood declining in 2005

According to the Ministry of Development, Industry and Commerce, exports of some solid wood products, especially plywood, have been decreasing significantly in 2005. For tropical plywood, exports fell 74% from 76,963 m³ to 20,183 m³ in the first semester of 2005. For coniferous plywood, exports remained stable over the same period but decreased 16% in July. Plywood exports recovered in July, but are 27% below the volume exported in January 2005. The Northern State of Par¨¢ has faced a significant fall in tropical plywood exports (30% in value and 33% in volume), despite the 21% increase in the value of exports of solid wood products in the past six months as compared with 2004.

 

The plywood sector in Northern Brazil has traditionally exported mainly to China, the USA, the Netherlands, France and Germany. Market experts have linked the decrease in exports to the exchange rate, and the impact of competitors in the international market. China has become a major plywood producer and a significant competitor to Brazil. With a more favourable exchange rate, Chinese plywood has managed to make inroads in the international market at more competitive prices.

 

Producers obtain definitive CE Marking

Through an agreement between the National Wood Quality Program (PNQM), developed by the Brazilian Association of Mechanically-Processed Wood (ABIMCI) and BM Trada certifier, three additional solid wood companies have been certified with the CE Marking for plywood for structural use. These companies, together with four others already certified, are located in Southern Brazil and produce coniferous plywood. The certification has become a requirement for companies exporting plywood for structural use to EU countries. Eleven other companies are under the certification process and have successfully completed the initial test phase. 

Veneer FOB

(Belem/Paranagua Ports)

      

White Virola Face 2.5mm

Pine Veneer (C/D)

US$ per m3

 

 

220

135

  

Plywood FOB

White Virola (US Market)

     5.2mm OV2 (MR)   

     15mm BB/CC (MR) 

 

White Virola (Caribbean market)

     4mm BB/CC (MR)   

     12mm BB/CC (MR) 

US$ per m3

 

355

300

 

 

420

330

 

Pine EU market

9mm C/CC (WBP)

15mm C/CC (WBP)

18mm C/CC (WBP)

US$ per m3

225

215

210

 

The USA accepts petition on softwood plywood
According to IWPA e-news, the office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) issued a Federal Register notice on 18 August 2005 announcing it will consider a petition for the waiver of competitive need limits for softwood plywood (HTS 4412.19.40) from Brazil as part of the 2005 GSP Annual Review. As informed previously (see MIS 10/12), this product lost its duty free status in July 2005 as Brazil supplied over 50% of all US softwood plywood imports in 2004.  The plywood product is currently subjected to an 8% import duty. 

However, an acceptance of a petition for review of the duty does not indicate any position on the merit of the petition. The US International Trade Commission (ITC) will investigate the economic effect that the proposed changes to the GSP

program will have on US industries.  The ITC will hold hearings and has set dates for the submission of notices and briefs. 

MALAYSIA

MR Grade BB/CC FOB

2.7mm

3mm

9mm & up

US$ per m3

400-415

385-390

325-335

 GHANA

The Forestry Commission of Ghana has evaluated and approved a contract for a new product called ¡®buttress sliced¡¯ veneer. The product, which is produced from the buttress of a tree, will be traded by Primewood Products Limited, a sliced‑veneer company in Takoradi. The trial contract volume was 5 m3 (8,000 m2) with a price offer of €2/ m2. 

Rotary Veneer

Euro per m3

 

Bombax

Chenchen

Kyere

Ofram

Ogea

Otie

Ceiba

Mahogany

CORE (1-1.9mm)

325

325

325

325

325

325

270

425

FACE (Below 2mm)

360

360

360

360

360

360

300

460

The above prices are for full sized panels, falling sizes minus 15%. Thickness below 1mm would attract a 5% premium.  

Rotary Veneer

Core Grade 2mm and up

       Ceiba

       Chenchen,Ogea & Essa

       Ofram

US$ per m3

 

235

295

305

 

Sliced Veneer

Euro per m2

 

Afromosia

Asanfina

Avodire

Chenchen

Mahogany

Makore

Odum

Face

1.19

1.25

0.92

0.72

1.03

1.01

1.54

Backing

1.00

0.80

0.60

0.50

0.70

0.60

0.95

 

Plywood, FOB

Euro per m3

Redwoods B/BB

4mm

6mm

9mm

12mm

15mm

18mm

 

Light Woods B/BB

4mm

6mm

9mm

12mm

15mm

18mm

WBP

560

340

315

300

310

300

 

WBP

500

335

290

270

280

245

MR

460

310

290

280

285

275

 

MR

330

270

255

235

245

235

Grade AB/BB would attract a premium of 5%. BB/BB would be 5% less, C/CC 10% less and CC/CC 15% less.  

PERU

FOB for Mexican Market

 

Copaiba, 2 faces sanded,

     B/C, 15x4x8mm

Virola, 2 faces sanded,

     B/C, 5.24x8mm

Lupuna, treated, 2 faces sanded

     5.2x4x8mm

Lupuna plywood

     B/C 15x4x8mm

     B/C 9x4x8mm

     B/C 12x4x8mm

     C/C 4x8x4mm

US$ per m3

 

 

350-355

 

395-405

 

345-350

 

325-330

335-340

330-335

360-365

  

Veneer  FOB

Lupuna 3/Btr 2.5mm

Lupuna 2/Btr 4.2mm

Lupuna 3/Btr 1.5mm

US$ per m3

210-215

220-235

235-240

  

 Domestic  Plywood  and  Veneer  Prices

BRAZIL 

Rotary Cut Veneer

(ex-mill Northern Mill)

White Virola Face

White Virola Core

US$ per m3

 

188

157

 

Plywood

(ex-mill Southern Mill)

Grade MR (B/BB)

White Virola 4mm

White Virola 15mm

US$ per m3

 

 

610

451

 

MALAYSIA 

Meranti grade BB/CC Dom.

       3mm      

       12-18mm

US$ per m3

385-395

305-315

 

PERU 

Lupuna Plywood BB/CC

(Pucallpa mills)

122 x 244 x 4mm

122 x 244 x 6mm

122 x 244 x 8mm

122 x 244 x 10mm

122 x 244 x 12mm

122 x 244 x 15mm

122 x 244 x 18mm

US$ per m3

 

461

451

438

424

430

426

491

  

Other  Panel  Product  Prices

BRAZIL 

FOB Belem/Paranagua Port

Export Prices

Blockboard

     Pine 18mm 5 ply (B/C)

 

Domestic Prices

Ex-mill Southern Region

Blockboard

     White Virola Faced 15mm

 

Particleboard (ex-mill)

     15mm

US$ per m3

 

 

340

 

 

 

 

415

 

 

243

 

MALAYSIA 

Other Panels

 

Particleboard

     Export 12mm & up

     Domestic 12mm & up

 

MDF

     Export 15-19mm

     Domestic 12-18mm

US$ per m3

 

 

125-140

120-135

 

 

205-215

195-200

The supply of chipboard and other composite panels are reported to be sufficient. However, domestic prices are reported to be quite weak. This is particularly the case for chipboards. Prices for this product have been on the downward trend recently.  

PERU 

Domestic Particleboard

1.83m x 2.44m x 4mm

1.83m x 2.44m x 6mm

1.83m x 2.44m x 8mm

1.83m x 2.44m x 9mm

1.83m x 2.44m x 12mm

US$ per m3

293

247

219

227

210

  

Prices  of  Added  Value  Products

MALAYSIA 

Mouldings, FOB

Selagan Batu Decking

Red Meranti Mouldings

   11x68/92mm x 7ft up

       Grade A

       Grade B

US$ per m3

595-605

 

 

650-660

545-550

 

GHANA

Parquet Flooring 1st grade, FOB

10x60x300mm

       Apa

       Odum

       Hyedua

       Afromosia

10x65-75mm

       Apa

       Odum

       Hyedua

       Afromosia

14x70mm

       Apa

       Odum

       Hyedua

       Afromosia

Euro per m2

 

12.0

7.8

13.67

13.72

 

14.47

10.18

18.22

13.93

 

17.00

11.00

17.82

17.82

Grade 2 less 5%, Grade 3 less 10%.   

PERU 

Peruvian technical mission to Brazil

Peruvian exporters and government officials made several technical visits to Brazil between 2004 and 2005 in order to draw lessons from some of the most modern Brazilian timber industries. The Peruvian Government, through the Industry Ministry (PRODUCE), the International Trade Ministry (PROMPEX) and the National Exporters Association (ADEX), is developing a working plan for the restructuring of the national timber industry in 2006 which incorporates some of the lessons learnt.

The private sector has highlighted the need for the working plan to include the identification of export markets (particularly in Central America and Europe), the re-organization and re-implementation of technological instruction centres, technological support for the added‑value industry and responsibility with respect to the use of natural resources. 

The technical mission is the first part of a plan to improve the national timber and wood products sector. In previous missions, companies visited were related to sawnwood, plywood, flooring (friezes and deckings) and furniture production. 

First National Wood Convention held in Iquitos

Tropical Forest Consultores and the National Exporters Association (ADEX) held the ¡°First National Wood Convention¡± in Iquitos, northern Peru in July 2005. The purpose of the convention attended by representatives from the wood industry, the government and environmental NGOs was to draw up a strategic plan for the country¡¯s forestry sector policy.  The plan constitutes a proposal for the political and economic agenda of the next governments that could contribute to the development of the country. Rafael Tolmos, President of the Wood Committee of ADEX, indicated that the timber industry was working very hard to reduce sawnwood exports to supply the added‑value export industry.  

A side workshop on the Peruvian wood productive chain was conducted and presided by the Vice‑minister of Production, Antonio Castillo Garay. The workshop conclusions and proposals were included in a document delivered to the Ministers for consideration in the current and future development of government policies.  

Strips for parquet

Cabre uva KD 12% S4S

     Asian market

Cumaru KD, S4S

     Swedish market

     Asian market

Cumaru decking, AD, S4S E4S

     US market

Pumaquiro KD # 1, C&B

     Mexican market

Quinilla KD, S4S 2x10x62cm

     Asian market

US$ per m3

 

1320-1380

 

610-625

570-590

 

750-800

 

465-480

 

570-580

 

Source: ITTO Tropical Timber Market Report

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