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Japan
Wood Products Prices
Dollar
Exchange Rates of 15th Dec. 2007
Japan
Yen 106.83
Reports
From Japan
Sumitomo Forestry expands log distribution capability
Japan Lumber Reports indicated that Sumitomo Forestry Timberland Management Company’s
Kyushu office will now have greater domestic log distribution capabilities. By
adding a new log yard, the office will now be able to hold a volume of 110,000 m3 in 2008. It will also be able to
handle an increased amount of Sustainable Green Ecosystem Council Forest Certification logs, which it
gathers and sells to makers and builders.
The office also intends to change its sorting and decking system as a result of the new log yard. It will help stabilize
supply of logs to large mills and increase recovery for KD lumber manufacturers.
Plywood market shows no sign of rebound
At the end of 2007, the Japanese plywood market reached price lows, according to Japan
Lumber Reports. Additionally, the market did not seem to be rebounding in early January due to weak demand and a reflection of the
low stability of housing starts. As a result, South East Asian countries were not able to obtain higher prices fromJapan for exports.
The Japan Lumber Journal also noted that plywood imports had decreased in October 2007,
continuing a five month trend in 2007. Malaysia was the major exporter to Japan (178,000 m3),
while Indonesia’s shipments to Japan decreased by nearly half from the previous month
(reaching a total of 86,000 m3). China’s plywood exports to Japan also fell for the third
consecutive month by 10.7% (to 56,000 m3).
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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
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|
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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