Month: October 2019

EU imports of tropical hardwood plywood products were 174,200 MT in the first half of 2019, 8% more than the same period last year. Import value increased 14% to €154.4 million.

A large and growing proportion of the plywood faced with tropical hardwood imported into the EU is manufactured in China. The EU imported 76,100 MT of this product from China in the first half of 2019, 39% more than during the same period in 2018.

Imports also increased from Gabon, by 9% to 7,400 MT, Viet Nam, by 3% to 6,100 MT, and Brazil, by 9% to 6,000 MT. These gains offset a 4% fall in imports from Indonesia, to 46,300 MT, and 32% fall from Malaysia, to 19,700.

EU imports of tropical hardwood plywood during 2019 are being strongly influenced by market issues elsewhere in the world, notably the US-China trade dispute which has led to a dramatic decline in Chinese tropical hardwood plywood exports to the United States and increasing diversion of Chinese product to the EU, mainly destined for the UK.

In the first half of 2019, UK imports of tropical hardwood plywood products increased 17% to 95,400 MT, despite widespread reports of overstocking and declining plywood consumption in the country. UK imports of tropical hardwood plywood from China increased 81% to 55,000 MT in the first six months of 2019, while UK imports from Malaysia fell 32%, to 16,800 MT, and were down 14% from Indonesia to 17,800 MT.

Tropical hardwood plywood imports into other EU countries were less volatile in the first half of 2019. Moderate declines in imports in Belgium (-8% to 19,100 MT), Germany (-3% to 13,000 MT), France (-3% to 10,100 MT) and Italy (-2% to 8,800 MT) were offset by an 8% rise in imports in the Netherlands, to 18,500 MT.

Source: Internet

For more information about Flexible plywood and other Tropical hardwood plywood, please visit: https://flexibleplywood.com/

US imports of flexible plywood, hardwood plywood surged in July to a level not seen since last summer. Import volumes grew by 42% in July to 257,772 cubic metres, its highest monthly level since last August and 15% higher than July 2018.

Imports from China were up only 7% in a month where volume increased by at least 30% from nearly all other countries. Despite the strong month, year to date volume remains down by 8% with nearly every country other than Vietnam down more than 10% year to date. Imports from Vietnam are more than doubling last year’s totals to date, especially flexible plywood, floor board .

Imports of tropical hardwood veneer to make flexible plywood, floor board also climbed sharply in July, rising by 68% from June. Imports from Ghana rose 150% in July to their highest level in three years, while imports from Italy increased by 71%.

Imports from China and Cameroon continued to fall in July with imports from both countries down 62% year to date. Despite the strong July, total US imports of hardwood veneer are down 17% year to date.

Source: Internet

For more information about Flexible plywood and other plywood, please visit: https://flexibleplywood.com/

Total supply of plywood (including flexible plywood, flexi ply, commercial plywood…) in Japan for the first half of this year was 2,916,200 cbms, 5.6% less than the same period of last year.

Domestic plywood supply is 1,618,100 cbms, 1.1% more while imported supply is 1,298,000 cbms, 12.7% less. Shipment of domestic plywood exceeded the production but market of imported plywood continued stagnant with dull shipment.

Monthly volume of imported plywood continued low. January volume was over 250,000 cbms then it was less than 200,000 cbms in May and June. The volume from Malaysia was 475,200 cbms, 12.3% less and Indonesia was 432,700 cbms, 14.9% less. Volume from China was 297,500 cbms, 9.1% less and others are 92,500 cbms, 15.6% less. Sluggish market in Japan and high export prices make future purchase difficult.

Shipment of domestic plywood was 1,643,800 cbms, 5.7% more out of which softwood plywood is 1,572,300 cbms, 6.0% more. Flexible plywood is 1,447,000 cbms, 4.8% more. Production of softwood plywood in June recorded the highest of 276,300 cbms and the shipment was 270,200 cbms so June end inventory was 141,200 cbms, only 8,600 cbms increase since last January.

Movement of domestic softwood plywood has been very active. Precutting plants placed orders as August had longer holidays than normal years and thick panel deliveries are delayed as securing trucks is becoming difficult chronically now.

All the plywood mills are running to the full but delivery delay occurs. July production and shipment were record high and the inventory is dropping.

Long panel producing lines broke down in plywood mill in Western Japan so supply of long length panel is getting tight. Other mills try to cover this but producing long length panels mean reduced production of standard 12 mm 3×6 panel so it is not easy to make long panel now.

Imported plywood (flexible plywood and commercial plywood) volume has been less than 200,000 cbms a month for three straight months but the movement in Japan continues dull and slow. The importers are unable to place orders for future cargoes because of high export prices and sluggish Japan market.

Among inventories of imported flexible plywood, there are some short items and a balance is off by items. Port inventories are not high but the market does not feel any shortage feeling. Recent strong yen makes future cost down so the market prices are further weakening.

Source: Internet

For more information about Flexible plywood and other plywood, please visit: https://flexibleplywood.com/plywood-products/