KUCHING: Sarawak exported logs and timber products with free on board (FOB) value of some RM793.7 million in the first two months of this year.
During the period under review, the state shipped about 219,170 cu m of logs with FOB value of RM108.4 million to several overseas markets.
In January, logs export volume was about 138,877 cu m valued at RM78.2 million. February’s export volume dipped to 80,292 cu m worth about RM30.2 million, according to statistics provided by Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC).
Indonesia is the top importer of Sarawak logs in terms of volume, absorbing 124,389 cu m (FOB value of about RM25 million) or nearly 57 percent of the state’s total exports in the first two months.
India, the traditional key buyer of Sarawak logs in recent years, imported 66,937 cu m worth RM59.6 million during the Jan-Feb period. Exported logs to India are of higher quality and, therefore, priced higher.
Of late, India was reported to have slowed down buying or delayed shipment of Sarawak logs due to the depreciation of the rupee to the US dollar which has made it most costly to import timber.
Taiwan is the third major buyer of Sarawak logs and imported 12,422 cu m worth about RM11.5 million in the first two months.
Sarawak logs are also exported to Vietnam (8,711 cu m valued at RM5.9 million) and Japan (6,709 cu m worth RM6.39 million).
The top species of logs exported by Sarawak are acacia mangium, meranti, mixed light hardwood, kapur and selangan batu.
The STIDC figures shown that Sarawak exported about 213,748 cu m of plywood with FOB value of RM457.2 million in January and February this year. Of the export volume,128,339 cu m (RM275.2 million) were exported in January while 85,408 cu m (RM182 million) shipped out in February.
Japan imported the bulk of Sarawak’s plywood exports, accounting for 151,274 cu m (valued at RM345.6 million) or 71 percent of the state’s total export volume.
Sarawak plywood is exported to 22 countries. Other key markets are Yemen, which absorbed 22,207 cu m worth RM35.2 million, Korea 16,875 cu m valued at RM28.3 million, Taiwan 7,017 cu m valued at RM11.5 million and Australia 2,550 cu m worth RM6.74 million.
Sawn timber is the other key product exported by Sarawak to about 20 countries. Topping the buyer list is Philippines, which imported 14,427 cu m with FOB value of RM45.1 million from Sarawak in the first two months of this year. The Asean member country imported over 30 percent of Sarawak’s total exports of 46,894 cu m.
Thailand is the second key importer of Sarawak’s sawn timber (9,385 cu m valued at RM13.7 million), followed by Yemen (6.747 cu m worth RM15.5 million), Taiwan (5,048 cu m worth RM9.14 million) and Korea (2,445 cu m valued at RM4.12 million).
During the Jan-Feb period, Sarawak exported 16.703 cu m of fibreboard with FOB value of about RM30.4 million, 6,906 cu m of veneer (RM11.36 million), 1,023 cu m of laminated board valued at RM4.2 million.
About 80 percent of Sarawak’s fibreboard exports went to Japan, which paid RM44.3 million for 24,159 cu m.
Korea and Taiwan are the main export markets for Sarawak veneer. About RM8.48 million worth of veneer went to Korea while Taiwan imported RM5.5 million worth of the product from Sarawak.
The US is the top importer of Sarawak’s laminated board.
Other timber products exported by Sarawak are moulding, dowel, blockboard and particle board.
Sarawak is also an exporter of furniture and furniture parts, comprising 396,290 units with FOB value of RM4.39 million in the first two months of this year. The state also exported RM9.29 million worth of woodchips to Japan, Indonesia and China during the same period.
