KUCHING: Sarawak’s monthly export revenue from timber and timber products has plunged by about 40 per cent to RM189.9 million (free on board value) in September 2023 from RM314.6 million in previous month of August or down by a hefty RM124.8 million. Leading the downtrend in the exports were plywood and logs, which saw significant drop in the volume exported.
Last month, Sarawak shipped out 44,501 cubic metres (cu m) of plywood worth RM104.5 million against 75,189 cu m valued at about RM180 million in August, according to preliminary monthly data on exports of timber products released by Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC).
The bulk of the plywood export went to traditional top buyer Japan, which paid about RM80.8 million for the import of 32,494 cu m, followed by Yemen which imported 4,118 cu m for RM8.52 million. Other main importers were Taiwan (RM4.88 million) and Korea (RM3.85 million).
In the first nine months of 2023 (9m2023), Sarawak recorded export receipts of RM1.07 billion from the exports of 437,762 cu m of plywood. Japan accounted for RM846.6 million (327,809 cu m), Yemen RM100.1 million (50,069 cu m) and Taiwan RM49.8 million (26,630 cu m).
On logs, Sarawak’s export value fell by 50 per cent to RM27.95 million last month in line with the sharply drop in export volume to 32,503 cu m from 66,797 cu m in August. India imported 28,681 cu m for RM23.8 million while Taiwan absorbed the balance of 3,822 cu m for RM4.12 million.
Japan, the other buyer of Sarawak logs, did not make any shipment last month. In 9m2023, Sarawak’s total logs export amounted to 429,859 cu m valued at RM396.2 million.
The logs were exported to India (396,401 cum worth RM359.3 million), Taiwan (25,921 cu m worth RM29.72 million) and Japan (7,538 cu m worth RM7.15 million).
Fibreboard, the second most important timber products exported by Sarawak, recorded lower earnings of RM30.4 million (12,662 cu m) in September 2023 (August RM34.55 million) (14,459 cu m). Sarawak’s fibreboard found its markets in 10 countries, with Japan as the top export destination which paid RM16.49 million for the imports of 6,952 cu m last month.
Other main buyers were from the Philippines (RM9.45 million), Vietnam (RM1.75 million) and Korea (RM1.18 million). In 9m2023, Sarawak exported 121,261 cu m of fibreboard valued at RM296.7 million.
The STIDC data showed that month-on-month, Sarawak’s exports of sawn timber fell sharply to 4,778 cu m (RM8.89 million) from 11,592 cu m (RM22.85 million).
The Philippines was the top buyer of sawn timber, absorbing 1,580 cu m for RM2.67 million, followed by Korea and Yemen which paid RM2.3 million and RM1.1 million respectively for the imports last month.
The exports of doorskin generated foreign exchange earnings of RM5.72 million (1,941 cu m) for Sarawak last month, which was lower as compared to RM6.24 million (2,165 cu m) in August.
The bulk of doorskin export volume went to Pakistan, which paid RM3.7 million for the imports of 1,268 cu m. Other buyers were India (RM705,204),South Africa (RM492,800) and Taiwan (RM395,392). In 9m2023, Sarawak recorded total export value of RM53.7 million from doorskin.
Last month, Sarawak also recorded export revenue of RM3.86 million from laminated board/ flooring, RM2.04 million from door panels & frames, RM1.37 million from particleboard, RM1.11 million from veneer, RM615,834 from moulding and RM3.53 million from other timber products.
The key market for laminated board/ floor is the United States and particleboard is Indonesia. Sarawak exported 27,2294 tonnes of woodchips valued at RM16.6 million last month to China (RM12.8 million) and Japan (RM3.83 million).
There was no exports in August 2023. Last month, Sarawak also did not export any wood pellets, which earned RM23 million in the shipments of 27,602 tonnes in August 2023. On furniture & furniture parts, month-on-month export receipts dropped to about RM3 million from RM6.2 million in August. Last month’s shipments went only to Japan and the US.
