Japan’s supply in June was 476,200 cubic metres, 7.4% less than in June last year and 5.3% more than May. Production of softwood plywood was 276,300 cubic metres, 1.6% more and 8.3% more, the highest record. Supply of imported plywood was 189,900 cubic metres, 18.2% less and 1.8% more, as ITTO reported.
The shipment of softwood plywood was 270,200 cubic metres, 8.2% more and 2.4% more. This is the second highest after last January. Since the production exceeded the shipment, the inventories were 121,800 cubic metres, 6,800 cubic metres more than last month.
Plywood mills’ inventories were only 0.4 month so hand-to-mouth operation continues.
In imported plywood, Malaysian supply was 61,000 cubic metres, 23.5% less and 4.3% less. This is the lowest in last five years. Indonesian supply was 70,700 cubic metres, 17.4% less and 22.8% more. China supplied 43,000 cubic metres, 7.7% less and 16.8% less. Because of sluggish market in Japan, the importers have not placed much orders to the supply side so future arrivals seem to continue low.
