Prices of Malaysian timber products held steady over the first two weeks of March. While the construction industry in Japan was far from recovering, plywood manufacturers were not prepared to ease prices further. Rising fuel costs had caused many manufacturers to resist cutting prices. Moreover, some manufacturers were expecting demand to
pick up as several reconstruction projects will be launched in China to fix damage caused by recent winter storms. Rubberwood prices rose due to heavy rains that limited supply. Additionally, the soaring price of crude oil has caused prices of hydro-carbon material to increase and
sent competing materials such as rubber up as well. Log prices in Sarawak are likely to rise in the next few weeks as the state has been hit by a spell of bad weather.
Weak US dollar will not harm Malaysia furniture exports
The Star has reported on recent remarks by MIFF 2008 Chairman Datuk Tan Chin Huat, who indicated furniture exports were likely to maintain current levels and would command higher prices. Tan noted that the furniture industry was ‘diversifying’, saying that companies were
designing products specifically for buyers of their choice. These companies, referred to as Original Design Manufacturers (ODM), were hoping to offset the dollar’s weakening to some extent by allowing the exporter or manufacturer to determine selling prices. At the opening
of the MIFF 2008, the Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry, Ng Lip Yong, echoed Tan’s positive outlook and expected furniture exports would reach RM10 billion by 2010.
Malaysia Log Prices
| Sarawak log, FOB |
US$ per m3 |
| Meranti SQ up |
295-315 |
| Small |
270-292 |
| Super small |
256-266 |
| Keruing SQ up |
269-280 |
| Small |
232-262 |
| Super small |
223-232 |
| Kapur SQ up |
243-260 |
| Selangan Batu SQ up |
268-294 |
| Pen. Malaysia logs, domestic (SQ) |
US$ per m3 |
| DR Meranti |
350-392 |
| Balau |
285-315 |
| Merbau |
413-435 |
| Rubberwood |
236-254↑ |
| Keruing |
278-290 |
| Peninsular Malaysian meranti logs are top grade and are used for scantlings for the EU. Their prices are higher than Sarawak’s. |
Malaysia Sawnwood Prices
| Malaysia Sawnwood, FOB |
US$ per m3 |
| White Meranti A & up |
427-450 |
| Seraya Scantlings (75x125 KD) |
707-745 |
| Sepetir Boards |
321-333 |
| Sesendok 25,50mm |
444-473 |
| Kembang Semangkok |
424-442 |
| Malaysian Sawnwood, domestic |
US$ per m3 |
| Balau (25&50mm,100mm+) |
343-363 |
| Merbau |
558-577 |
| Kempas 50mmx (75,100 & 125mm) |
286-302 |
| Rubberwood |
25x75x660mm up |
279-307↑ |
| 50-75mm Sq. |
301-326↑ |
| >75mm Sq. |
314-346↑ |
Malaysia Plywood Prices
| Malaysia ply MR BB/CC, FOB |
US$ per m3 |
| 2.7mm |
478-504 |
| 3mm |
455-480 |
| 9mm & up |
413-436↑ |
| Meranti ply BB/CC, domestic |
US$ per m3 |
| 3mm |
454-464 |
| 12-18mm |
392-400↑ |
Other Malaysia Panel Prices
| Malaysia, Other Panels, FOB |
US$ per m3 |
| Particleboard Export 12mm & up |
227-245↑ |
| Domestic 12mm & up |
215-232↑ |
| MDF Export 15-19mm |
294-318↑ |
| Domestic 12-18mm |
269-287↑ |
Malaysia Added Value Product Prices
| Malaysia, Mouldings, FOB |
US$ per m3 |
| Selagan Batu Decking |
677-695 |
| Red Meranti Mouldings 11x68/92mm x 7ft up |
| Grade A |
714-734↓ |
| Grade B |
629-646 |
Malaysia Furniture and Parts Prices
| Malaysia, Rubberwood, FOB |
US$ per piece |
| Semi-finished dining table solid laminated top 2.5'x4', extension leaf |
55-71 |
| As above, Oak Veneer |
62-76 |
| Windsor Chair |
53-56 |
| Colonial Chair |
46-54 |
| Queen Anne Chair (soft seat) |
without arm |
47-60 |
| with arm |
51-60 |
| Chair Seat 27x430x500mm |
34-39 |
| Rubberwood Tabletop |
US$ per m3 |
| 22x760x1220mm sanded & edge profiled |
| Top Grade |
616-626 |
| Standard |
583-601 |
|