SIBU: The total export value of Sarawak log and timber products for 2011 decreased by four per cent to RM7.09 billion from RM7.35 billion in 2010.
The Sarawak Timber Industry Development Coporation (STIDC) said plywood remained the biggest contributor, accounting for 54 per cent or RM3.8 billion of the total export value.
This was despite a 19 per cent drop in export volume to 2.3 million cubic metres from 2.8 million cubic metres in 2010.
Japan maintained its position as the number one buyer with 1.3 million cubic metres or 58 per cent of the total volume.
“This amount is a five per cent increase from 1.2 million cubic metres previously to 1.3 million cubic metre in last year,” the STIB said in a statement yesterday.
The export value of logs went down by six per cent due to the decrease in volume exported.
The log export, the industry’s second biggest foreign exchange earner, too suffered a deficit in export volume.
It decreased by 22 per cent to 3.1 million cubic metres worth RM1.84 billion from 3.9 million cubic metres worth RM1.96 billion previously.
Although India remained its biggest buyer, buying 1.9 million cubic metres of the overall export valued at RM1.1 billion, its purchase had decreased by 16 per cent.
The STIDC said India was followed by Taiwan (401 million cubic metres worth RM245 million) and China (312 million cubic metres worth RM169 million).
Sawn timber, the third biggest contributor, suffered a 19 per cent drop in export volume to 73 million cubic metres from 91 million cubic metres.
Correspondingly, the value dropped by 10 per cent to RM693 million from RM822 million in the preceeding year.
Meanwhile, the STIDC believed the future outlook for the industry remained uncertain this year because the prices of timber and timber products remained weak compared to last year.
“Some analysts attribute this to the slow recovery in Japan’s housing construction after the tsunami/earthquake last year.
“The situation is further aggravated by slowdown in the global economy resulting in trade deficit and the increased fuel import bills. The world economy is predicted to grow moderately,” it said. — Bernama