Japan Wood Products
Prices
Dollar Exchange Rates of
14th January 2010
Japan Yen 91.10
Reports From Japan
Demand projections for N. American timber
In mid Dec the Japan Lumber Conference released
projections of demand for 2010. Japan’s demand for logs
is expected to rise by around 3% while lumber demand is
forecast to be up 7% for the year.
Promotion of legal timber
The JLR is reporting that the All Japan Federation of
Lumber Associations ended 2009 with a symposium to
promote procurement of legally certified wood. This was
the 4th such symposium to deliver information on how the
private sector in Japan is tackling the illegal timber issue.
The Keynote speech at the year end meeting was delivered
by the former Executive Director of ITTO Dr. B.C.Y.
Freezailah.
Japan’s green housing
In a recent economic stimulus package the Japanese
government created incentives for sustainable homes.
Home owners who opt for eco-friendly and thermally
efficient homes will earn so-called eco-points which can
be exchanged for gift certificates, prepaid cards for public
transport or merchandise. New houses with double
glazing and insulation can earn the so-called ‘eco-points’.
Plywood market trends
The plywood market in Japan has seen tough times in
2009 and to end the year things got worse as the bottom
fell out of the market for softwood plywood. In December
prices were falling day after day. The JLR suggests it is
too early yet to tell what the first quarter market is likely
to be like.
Some Japanese manufactures have been cutting back
production to try and stabilise the market but others have
continued production and have been selling at very low
prices.
The JLR is reporting that, despite the weak demand in
Japan, some wholesalers have been seeking concrete
formboard after reports emerged that Malaysian suppliers
where cutting formboard shipments because of the low
prices in Japan and profitable alternative markets in other
countries.
Freight rates likely up
The JLR is speculating that freight rates may be increased
substantially in the near future. The indications are that
the availability of west bound containers on the west coast
of N. America is becoming a problem. The weak dollar
has resulted in a decline in west bound containers but an
increase in eastbound cargo, hence the shortage.
For the full JLR report see: www.n-mokuzai.com/english.htm
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