Jan 17, 2007. /Lesprom Network/. Total volume of plywood supply in Japan surged to 770 000 cubic meters in October, up 15% from September, due to a recovery in Japanese plywood imports, ITTO reported. Domestic plywood supply rose to 287 000 cubic meters, the second highest level in the year, while imports soared 22% to 483 774 cubic meters. By import source, 241 000 cubic meters came from Malaysia (up 12.6%), 168 000 cubic meters from Indonesia (up 47%) and 62 000 cubic meters from China (up 17%). China’s accumulated plywood exports through October totalled 507 000 cubic meters, up 52.2% from 2005. Plywood supply from Southeast Asia recovered sharply, following the end of Ramadan and associated festivities and lured by higher export prices. Japan’s total plywood imports were 4.6% above the pace in 2005. However, domestic plywood prices in Japan weakened slightly in November and December, particularly for thin plywood, due to sluggish demand during those months.