Japan Wood Products Prices

01-15th May 2006

Japan Wood Products Prices

Dollar Exchange Rates of  8th May  2006

Japan Yen 111.5

Reports From Japan

Forestry Agency grants green certificates
Japan’s Forestry Agency (FA) has started to grant certificates of legality and sustainability to timber from national forests in line with the new green procurement policy for forest goods and services in effect since April 2006. The FA will promote procurement of certified timber for public construction projects.

FA releases forecast of timber supply and demand
Japan’s Forestry Agency released its forecast of timber supply and demand for the 2nd and 3rd quarters of 2006. According to the FA, demand and supply will be similar to that of 2005 with housing starts unchanged and floor space declining marginally. However, imports of tropical logs, lumber and plywood from Southeast Asia are projected to decline, particularly in the 2nd quarter, due to continuing shortages and higher FOB prices.

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

Source: ITTO'  Tropical Timber Market Report