Japan Wood Products
Prices
Dollar Exchange Rates of
15th November 2008
Japan Yen 97.10
Reports From Japan
Plywood imports still inactive during October
Japan Lumber Journal reported that prices held firm and
the balance of demand did not change for plywood in
October, despite recent news that a major lumber
manufacturer had shut its doors. Low prices were not
being accepted for imported plywood, leaving no
opportunity for plywood imports to grow. Manufacturers
of domestic softwood plywood were trying to recover
prices, but businesses have been suspended following the
trends in September. As the plywood market remained
sluggish during the end of October, and traders have been
less confident about the market’s prospects. JLJ also noted
that the price gap between contracted and domestic prices
was expected to further widen.
Russian log imports decline by up to 40%
Participants at the Japan Lumber Importers’ Association
(JLIA) meeting noted that Japan’s imports of Russian logs
dropped by almost 40% since the start of the year, when
compared to the same period in 2007. The JLJ indicated
that the lumber industry has been slow to respond to the
fall in Russian imports, whereas the plywood industry has
been quick to respond to the use of domestic lumber. At
present, Russian demand for logs has not been high.
Moreover, it was noted that weather conditions in Russia
during June and July 2008 resulted in deteriorated log
quality, causing problems for Japanese importers.
Participants at the JLIA meeting said that China was
purchasing logs near the Russia/China border, as China
purchases a wide variety of Russian materials.
Thailand-based company to offer teak products to
Japan
Exterior products, laminated lumber and flooring using
teak lumber will be sold in Japan by Kampan Lanna Ltd.,
said the Japan Lumber Journal. The company has been
operating for nearly 20 years and manufacturing furniture
and interior products from afforested teak lumber to nearly
58 countries. Japanese adhesives will be used in the
manufactured products.
|
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 |
|
|
|
