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Japan: Wood demand until Sept 2010 |
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Japan’s Forestry Agency has released its wood demand projections up to September 2010. The Agency is forecasting an improvement in housing starts as a result of the various stimulus measures introduced.
The main beneficiaries of the improved activity in the building and construction sectors will be imported sawnwood, plywood and structural laminated lumber. The Agency foresees continued problems with sourcing sawn Radiata from Chile.
North American log demand is expected to remain firm but import volumes will likely remain at around 2.5 mil cubic metres for the whole year, the same level as for 2009.
On the other hand, demand in Japan for N. American sawnwood could improve over the next six months lifting import levels above those of the same period last year. European sawnwood imports started to increase from the last quarter 2009 after there was a modest rebound in purchases to replenish stock levels. However, any further growth in demand is expected to be moderate, especially as shippers will be looking for higher prices.
Plywood prices pushed up
The Japan Lumber Journal (JLR) is reporting that the Seihoku Group, the largest plywood manufacturer in Japan, has increased the wholesale price for structural softwood plywood and will not entertain any negotiations on price.
Apparently Seihoku accepted Yen 650 per sheet (delivered) until the end of March but that now the price is Yen 700 with further price increases planned. This move by Seihoku is to reverse its loss making production. The price of 24mm panels was previously Yen 1,300 but has now been increased to Yen 1,400. 28mm panels are priced at Yen 1,630 up from Yen 1,520 in late March. In making this move to increase prices Seihoku is hoping that other manufacturers will follow suit, a reasonable gamble in the light of the expected increase in building activity.
Log and Sawnwood Prices in Japan
Logs for Ply Manufacture, CIF
Meranti (Hill, Sarawak) | Yen per Koku
(koku=0.278 m3) | Medium Mixed | 6,200 | Standard Mixed | 6,400 | Small Log (SM60%, SSM40%) | 6,200 | Taun, Calophyllum, others (PNG)
| 8,000 | Mixed light hardwood, G3/4 grade (PNG)
| -
| Keruing MQ & up (Sarawak)
| 10,500 | Kapur MQ & up (Sarawak)
| 8,900 | Logs for Sawmilling, CIF
| Yen per Koku | Melapi (Sarawak) High Select
| 11,500
| Agathis (Sarawak) High Select
| -
| Lumber, FOB
| Yen per m3 | White Seraya (Sabah) 24x150mm, 4m, Grade 1
| 135,000 | Mixed Seraya, Sangi 24x48mm, 1.8-4m, S2S
| 53,000
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Wholesale Prices (Tokyo)
| Indonesian & Malaysian Plywood | Size (mm) | Feb | Apr | (¥ per sheet) | | 2.4mm (thin plywood, F 4star, type 2 ) | 920 X 1830 | 320
| 320 | | 3.7mm (med. Thickness, F 4star, type1) | 910 X 1820 | 450 | 450 | | 5.2mm (med. Thickness, F 4star, type 1) | 910 X 1820 | 560 | 560 | | 11.5mm for sheathing (F 4star, type 2) | 910 X 1820 | 880 | 890 | | 12mm for foundation (F 4star, special) | 910 X 1820 | 900 | 920
| | 12mm concrete-form ply (JAS) | 900 X 1800 | 850 | 870 | | 12m coated concrete-form ply (JAS) | 900 X 1800 | 950 | 1010 | | 11.5mm flooring board | 945 X 1840 | | 1150 | | 3.6mm baseboard for overlays (OVL) | 1230 X 2440 | 740 | 740 | | OSB (North American) |
| | 12mm foundation of roof (JAS) | 910 X 1820 | 1000 | 1000 | | 9mm foundation for 2 by 4 (JAS) | 910 X 2440 | 1050 | 1050 | | 9mm conventional foundation (JAS) | 910 X 2730 | 1250 | 1250 | | 9mm conventional foundation (JAS) |
ITTO's Tropical Timber Market Report)< |
| [29.04.2010] |
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