Japan's plywood imports reach 347,900 m3 in April, up 23.3% year-over-year; total supply reaches highest monthly volume since May 2011 at 583,000 m3

Wendy Lisney

YOKOHAMA, Japan , June 15, 2013 (International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO)) – April plywood supply

Total plywood supply in April was 583,000 cbms, 18.0% more than April last year and 6.1% more than March, which is the largest in two years since May 2011.

In particular, arrivals of imported plywood increased by about 30,000 cbms. from March and domestic softwood plywood production exceeded 220,000 cbms.

Imported plywood in April was 347,900 cbms, 23.3% more than April last year and 9.4% more than March, the highest since July 2011.

Volume by source is 164,900 cbms from Malaysia, 39.2% more and 7.8% more. 75,500 cbms from China, 24.5% more and 31.6% more.

Average monthly arrivals in last twelve months were 303,000 cbms, about a 5,000 cbms increase from the average until March.

Reason of the increase of Malaysian plywood is that the largest supplier shipped cargoes waiting shipment all at once in March with larger fleet with a newly built ship.

May arrivals are estimated over 300,000 cbms but with declining future purchase, the arrivals after June are expected to decrease.

Domestic plywood production in April was 235,100 cbms, 11% more than the same month a year ago and 1.6% more than March, out of which softwood plywood was 220,100 cbms, 14.0% more and 1.7% more.

This is the largest production in about six years. The shipment of softwood plywood in April was 221,100 cbms, 14.4% more and 1.0% more. This is seventh straight months with over 200,000 cbms.

The inventories were 124,000 cbms, about 1,000 cbms less than a month ago.

Source: Tropical Timber Market Report, International Tropical Timber Organization.

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