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Japan Wood Products Prices

01-15th January 2008


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).

 


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


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