|
Japan
Wood Products Prices
Dollar
Exchange Rates of 30th Nov.
2007
Japan
Yen 111.12
Reports
From Japan
Japanese firms disclose losses caused by falling plywood prices
Japan Lumber Reports painted a mixed picture for profits of Japanese firms dealing with wood
and building materials, some of which suffered losses due to falling imported plywood prices.
Although it was noted that many companies registered profits from January to April 2007,
the gap between prices of imported and domestically produced plywood widened, and many
companies suffered losses after April 2007. There was a steeper decline in
losses during August and September, after housing starts fell. Sumitomo Forestry showed an increase in revenue,
although profits fell. Sales (excluding logs and wood) during April-September 2007 were up 1.3% from April-September 2006. However, Sumisho & Mitsuibussan
Kenzai showed an operating loss of JPY49 million.
Southsea log import expected to drop
At a recent Southsea Lumber Conference convened by the Tokyo Chapter of Japan, it was noted that Southsea log
consumption would drop, with one attendee saying monthly consumption would drop by 5,000m3. The Japan
Lumber Journal covered the discussions at the meeting, noting that participants expected domestic prices for
plywood from Sarawak, Solomon Islands, and PNG to remain firm during November and December, since their
local prices had not fallen. Buyers also seem to be relying on domestic supplies of logs, in part due to freight rate
increases and since domestic prices have started to leveloff.
Imports of Southsea logs from January – September 2007 were 828,450 m3, with Sarawak’s
supplies dropping 22.6% from a year earlier. Japan’s imports of Southsea
sawntimber products have also been decreasing, since imports from January-September 2007 fell 9.6% from the
same period from the previous year. Lumber dropped 15.1%, with softwood lumber sustaining
the previous year’s level of imports.
|
|
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 |
|
|
|
