KUCHING: Jaya Tiasa Holdings Bhd’s log production has increased substantially, surging by 38 per cent to 104,933 cubic metres (cu m) last year from 75,823 cu m in 2023.
In fourth quarter of 2024 (4Q2024), the Sibu-based timber/plantation company, however, only recorded marginally higher log output to 27,697 cu m as compared to 27,582 cu m in 4Q2023 or an increase of 115 cu m, according to the company’s log production filing with Bursa Malaysia.
The 4Q2024 logs output was lower as compared to 28,281 cu m registered in the immediate preceding quarter (3Q2024) or down by 584 cu m.
As at June 30, 2024 (FY2024), Jaya Tiasa group operated timber concession area spreading over 413,801 hectares within three forest management units (FMUs).
The group also manages a reforestation area of 120,395 hectares, out of which 75,622 hectares are plantable.
To-date, some 46,000 hectares have been planted with fast-growing timber species, including 6,821 hectares in FY2024.
On the other hand, Jaya Tiasa group’s oil palm segment had recorded marginally lower output of fresh fruit bunches (FFB) and palm kernel (PK) but slightly higher volume of crude palm oil (CPO) last year against that of 2023.
Year-on-year, FFB volume fell by 36,357 tonnes (3 pct) to 1,084,169 tonnes (2023:1,120,526 tonnes) while PK volume declined by 1,734 tonnes (3 pct) to 49,235 tonnes (50,969 tonnes).CPO output rose by 1,043 tonnes to 220,911 tonnes (219,868 tonnes).
Jaya Tiasa group reported weaker production volumes of FFB,PK and CPO in 4Q2024 as compared to 4Q2023.FFB output plunged by 54,965 tonnes (-16 pct) to 290,813 tonnes (4Q2023:345,778 tonnes),PK dropped by 2,368 tonnes (-15 pct) and CPO decreased by 6,654 (-10 pct) to 62,438 tonnes (69,092 tonnes).
As compared to 3Q2024, the group also posted double-digit loss in the production volumes of FFB, PK and CPO in 4Q2024.
Quarter-on-quarter, FFB output shrank by 52,584 tonnes (-15 pct) to 290,813 tonnes (3Q2024:343,397 tonnes), PK dropped by 2,152 tonnes (-14 pct) to 13,726 tonnes (15,878 tonnes) and CPO declined by 7,025 tonnes (-10 pct) to 62,438 tonnes (69,463 tonnes).
As at June 30, 2024, Jaya Tiasa group’s total planted and mature area of oil palm stood at 68,569 tonnes (spread in 10 estates),a decline of 1,020 hectares from 69,589 hectares a year ago as some of the old oil palm trees were cleared for replanting.
The group has a total land bank of 83,483 hectares for oil palm cultivation.
Besides, the group also owns and operates four CPO mills, with a combined annual processing capacity of 1,728,000 tonnes of FFB.
Meanwhile, another Sibu-based public-listed plantation firm Rimbunan Sawit Bhd reported sharply higher production volume of FFB last year but lower outputs of both PK and CPO as compared to that of 2023.
FFB volume jumped by 37,907 tonnes (+15.12 pct) to 288,657 tonnes (2023:250,750 tonnes) but PK output fell by 2,492 tonnes (-10.34 pct) to 21,608 tonnes (24,100 tonnes) whereas CPO volume declined by 7,166 tonnes (-6.75 pct) to 98,986 tonnes (106,512 tonnes).
In 4Q2024, there was an increase in FFB output by 1,942 tonnes (+2.68 pct) to 74,392 tonnes (3Q2024:72,450) whereas PK output dipped by 254 tonnes (-3.88 pct) to 6,303 tonnes (6,558 tonnes).During the same period, CPO output climbed by 1,258 tonnes to 29,940 tonnes (28,682 tonnes).
In 3Q2023, Rimbunan Sawit recorded FFB, PK and CPO production of 85,088 tonnes, 6,239 tonnes and 28,361 tonnes respectively.
As at December 31, 2023, Rimbunan Sawit group’s total oil palm plantation area stood at 43,031 hectares in Sibu, Miri and Kuching regions.
About 20,390 planted areas are in prime mature stage (8-19 years), 18,956 hectares in old mature stage (more than 20 years).
The group has a total land bank of 69,557 hectares, and it also owns and operates three CPO mills.
