KUCHING: Sarawak has recorded a nearly 10 per cent decline in export earnings from the timber industry, amounting to approximately RM2.84 billion in 2024, compared to RM3.14 billion in 2023 — a reduction of RM304 million.
The decrease in year-on-year export receipts was primarily due to a significant drop in revenue from plywood and log exports.
Last year, plywood exports fell to about RM1.36 billion (free on board value) from RM1.5 billion in 2023, a decrease of RM140 million, despite an increase in export volume to 627,389 cubic metres (cu m) from 613,548 cu m. These figures are based on preliminary export statistics released by the Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC).
The state’s plywood exports in Dec 2024 surged to RM102.72 million from RM83.87 million in November, aligning with an increase in export volume to 48,498 cu m from 38,602 cu m in the previous month.
Japan remained the top buyer, spending about RM1.11 billion for 497,211 cu m of plywood products, which accounted for approximately 82 per cent of Sarawak’s total plywood export value last year.
Yemen purchased RM118.1 million worth of plywood (67,995 cu m), followed by Taiwan with 31,629 cu m for RM55.78 million. The Philippines and South Korea spent RM19.83 million and RM18.71 million, respectively. In total, Sarawak exported plywood to 25 countries worldwide.
In Dec 2024, Sarawak’s log exports dropped significantly to 10,599 cu m worth RM9.52 million, compared to 80,998 cu m valued at RM61.59 million in November.
Year-on-year, log export earnings declined from RM499.2 million in 2023 to RM384.9 million, representing a sharp decrease of RM114.3 million. This decline was due to a reduction in export volume from 558,998 cu m to 477,148 cu m. Sarawak exported logs only to India, Taiwan, and Japan.
India was the largest buyer, purchasing 458,343 cu m worth RM367.6 million, accounting for 96 per cent of Sarawak’s total log export volume. Taiwan and Japan imported 12,102 cu m and 6,703 cu m, paying RM11.79 million and RM5.54 million, respectively.
According to STIDC figures, Sarawak earned more from fibreboard exports than from logs in 2024. Fibreboard exports brought in RM388.2 million, surpassing log export earnings, but still lower than RM398.9 million recorded in 2023.
Japan was the dominant market for Sarawak’s fibreboard, importing 123,176 cu m worth RM290.4 million, which accounted for about 75 per cent of the total export value. Other major destinations included the Philippines (21,147 cu m for RM49.82 million), Vietnam (6,265 cu m for RM16.13 million), and Indonesia (7,119 cu m for RM14.83 million). Fibreboard was also exported to Korea, Taiwan, Australia, and India.
Another key timber product exported was sawntimber, which generated RM145.44 million (94,550 cu m) in 2024. However, this was significantly lower than RM248.42 million (130,326 cu m) recorded in 2023. Sarawak exported sawntimber to 23 countries, with Yemen leading at 19,062 cu m for RM36.37 million, followed by Oman (19,459 cu m for RM24.82 million), Taiwan (12,922 cu m for RM22.1 million), the Philippines (22,447 cu m for RM20.73 million), and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) (5,504 cu m for RM10.97 million).
Sarawak nearly doubled its exports of laminated board/flooring, earning RM66 million (9,260 cu m) in 2024, compared to RM33.48 million (6,161 cu m) in 2023. The United States accounted for approximately 86 per cent of Sarawak’s export volume, paying RM60.98 million, while Vietnam and Taiwan spent RM2.07 million and RM1.89 million, respectively.
Conversely, doorskin export revenue declined significantly to RM41.59 million in 2024, down from RM70 million in 2023, reflecting a drop in export volume from 24,277 cu m to 15,677 cu m. Pakistan and India were the top buyers, purchasing RM18.81 million (7,227 cu m) and RM11.19 million (4,502 cu m), respectively, while South Africa ranked third with imports of 1,497 cu m worth RM4.16 million.
On a positive note, Sarawak increased its exports of door panels and frames, reaching RM29.3 million in 2024 compared to RM27.3 million in 2023, with export volume rising to 15,325 cu m from 14,999 cu m. Nearly the entire export volume (15,186 cu m worth RM28.95 million) went to Japan, with the remaining volume shipped to Thailand and Brunei Darussalam.
The exports of veneer generated RM20.8 million (11,946 cu m) in 2024, lower than RM27.9 million (16,361 cu m) in 2023. Korea, Taiwan, and Japan were the primary export destinations.
Additionally, Sarawak exported moulding worth RM17.1 million and particleboard valued at RM8.53 million in 2024, with Japan being the leading market for moulding and Indonesia for particleboard. Other timber product exports totalled RM23.5 million, up from RM22.1 million in 2023.
Woodchips remained a major export revenue earner, bringing in RM179.3 million (2023: RM180 million) from shipments totalling 197,969 tonnes, with RM149.7 million coming from China and RM29.58 million (79,939 tonnes) from Japan.
Year-on-year, Sarawak more than doubled its export revenue from wood pellets, reaching RM105.9 million (138,249 tonnes), up from RM44.47 million (57,404 tonnes) in 2023. Japan and the Netherlands were the sole buyers, spending RM91.91 million and RM14.03 million, respectively.
Sarawak also posted higher export revenue from furniture and furniture parts, totalling RM59.23 million in 2024, up from RM53.1 million in 2023. Japan and the US were the main importers, paying RM29.94 million and RM27.37 million, respectively.
In 2024, Sarawak exported charcoal worth RM8.75 million, shingles valued at RM249,436, and scented wood totalling RM152,336.
