Japan’s plywood supply down 6.9%
28 October 2014Japan’s plywood supply in July 2014 was 520,900m3, 6.9% less than July last year and 3.8% less than June. Production curtailment by domestic plywood mills is the reason of the decrease. Import plywood continued declining under 300,000m3 for two straight months, reports the International Tropical Timber Organization.
Total imported plywood volume in July was 291,000m3, 6.9% less and 1% less. Monthly average import for the first seven months was 310,000m3, 2.3% less than the same period of last year.
Malaysian supply has declined for three straight months. July volume was 112,300m3, 13.8% and 3.8% less. Average for the first seven months was 130,500m3, 10.3% less than the same period of last year.
Indonesian supply in July was 93,500m3, 1.7% less and 3.9% more, two straight months' increase.
July production of domestic plywood was 229,800m3, 6.9% less than July last year and 7.1% less than June, out of which softwood plywood was 213,300m3, 7.7% less and 7.9% less. Monthly average production for the first seven months was 223,200m3, 4.3% more than the same period of last year due to active market in the first and second quarters.
Average monthly production in 2013 was 218,900m3 then assuming 10% less for shrinking market this year, monthly production should be 197,000m3.
