The timber and timber products exports from Sarawak decreased by 3.5% in the first half of 2016.
During January-June 2016, the total earnings of Sarawak reached 762 EUR million, while the export earnings in 2015 amounted to EUR 789 million, as reported by The Borneo Post.
The uncertainty on the major consuming markets, such as Japan, India, Taiwan or China, has seriously affected the timber and timber products exports during this period of time.
“The export value of timber and timber products to major markets has declined between four and 52 per cent during the same period,” said Second Minister of Resource Planning and Environment Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.
Exports to China declined by 52%, while the one in Thailand went down by 27%. Also, the timber and timber products exports to Taiwan registered a 26% decline, the ones in India 9% and the exports to Japan decreased by 4%.
At the same time, the export values to the Philippines increased by 74%, while the ones in the Middle East went up by 23%. Also the exports to Australia and South Korea increased by 27% and 4%, respectively.
The plywood exports also decreased by 6% during the first half of 2016, reaching EUR 374 million. Plywood accounted for 49% of the total exports earnings of Sarawak. Moreover, the sawn timber and MDF exports value increased by 23% and 20%, respectively.
