Japan Wood Products
Prices
Dollar Exchange Rates of
15th Feb. 2009
Japan Yen 91.97
Reports From Japan
MAFF publishes results of timber distribution in Japan
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries’
(MAFF) survey of lumber factories, including sawmills,
plywood factories, and laminated lumber factories,
showed the number of factories have fallen since the
survey was last conducted in 2001. According to the
Japan Lumber Journal (JLJ), although the number of
large-scale factories had increased, there were 2,212 less
factories than in 2001. The number of plywood factories
fell by 62 and laminated lumber factories were 294, 7.8%
less than in 2001. Lumber markets have also fallen to 516,
down by 51. Those with sales of less than JPY50 million
increased from 13 to 35. The amount of lumber enterprises
fell to 9,430, 10.9% down from 2001.
End January plywood situation shows little movement
JLJ reported that domestic plywood manufacturers were
decreasing their production of plywood by suspending
operations in factories using an employment subsidy
system. JLJ suggested this was a sign prices had hit new
lows and had spread across the industry. The publication
also reported Japanese manufacturers were switching their
foundation materials from plywood to particleboard and
MDF wood boards. There is fear in the industry that other
manufacturers of wooden construction materials will make
similar changes. It is likely the amount of logs traded in
January and February will be quite low since there is
almost no inventory of logs in the producing regions, with
the potential for a drastic decrease in the future.
KM Hybrid Plantation SDN recognized for SFM results
JLJ noted Sabah Afforestation Co.’s investment in KM
Hybrid Plantation SDN had been recognized by the Sabah
Regional Assembly in Malaysia for its outstanding results
in SFM. Koshii & Co., Ltd. and Asahi Woodtec
Corporation are joint investors in Sabah Afforestation Co.
Sabah Afforestation Co. supports initiatives related to
afforestation, forest expansion and harvesting. KM Hybrid
Plantation SDN has been involved in producing young
Acacia hybrid trees, afforestation and forest expansion in
Sabah.
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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 |
|
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