Domestic softwood plywood consumption in Japan continues busy by large house builders and precutting plants. September production was 252,400 cubic metres, 17% more than September last year and 9.8% more than August. The production has been over 250,000 cubic metres for last three months, ITTO reports.
Structural plywood production was 245,300 cubic metres, 22.8% and 6.7% more. The shipment was 254,900 cubic metres, 11% more and 6.7% more so the inventories were down to 94,600 cubic metres. Decline of the inventory has continued for last six months.
Structural plywood shipment was 246,200 cubic metres, 7.8% more than August, which exceeded the production by 900 cubic metres. This is the same level of shipment as last June. The inventories were down to 85,300 cubic metres.
Generally the supply continues tight but there is no confusion of scratching the supply among precutting plants since precutting plants place orders well ahead of necessary time. There are still some precutting plants looking for plywood and they inquire wholesalers and trading firms occasionally. Wholesalers, which purchase plywood regularly from the mills, are having necessary volume but delivery is delayed on additional orders.