world news - 30.03.2004

Malaysia: High Particleboard Demand

Panel FOB prices have jumped over the past month. Particleboard in Malaysia went up to as high as US$170 per cubic metre over the past two-three weeks (up from the previous US$130 to 140 per Cu.m) and still analysts are talking of rather limited supplies for the market.

Malaysian analysts note that wood-based panel products are in high demand, particularly in the domestic markets in SE Asia.

For instance, the Thai and Indonesian markets are so good that the manufacturers have turned away export orders from traditional big volume buyers (usually at rock bottom prices, however) such as Courts and others, in favour of the domestic market.

This focus on the local market by producers in Thailand and Indonesia has meant that overseas buyers have swithed some orders to Malaysian mills who are reporting full order books for a range of products, some even say they have orders up to August this year.

Plywood and MDF are also experiencing very good demand, as are veneers. For example veneers (0.6 mm thick general veneers) are reportedly selling at approx. USD0.4 per square metre.

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