KUCHING: Sarawak’s total export earnings from the timber industry has dropped to RM223.93 million last month from RM234.68 million in July 2025 or a decrease of RM10.75 million, dragged down by the sharp fall in the sales of plywood.
Month-on-month, export receipts from plywood shrank to about RM98.4 million (free on board value) from RM116.66 million in July or down by RM18.28 million (-16%) in line with the decrease in export volume to 47,536 cubic metres (cu m) from 57,792 cu m in July (-10,256 cu m), according to Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) preliminary export figures for August 2025.
As usual, Japan was Sarawak’s largest plywood importer, paying RM92.1 million for 43,998 cu m of plywood purchased last month. Japan accounted for about 93.5 per cent of Sarawak’s total plywood export revenue for the month under review.
Yemen, the second largest buyer so far this year, did not import any plywood from Sarawak last month. Taiwan imported 2,289 cu m worth RM3.5 million from Sarawak.
In the first eight months of 2025 (8m2025), Sarawak earned about RM848.7 million from the export of 418,495 cu m of plywood, which was significantly lower as compared to RM949.9 million (418,495 cu m) in 8m2024.
Last month, Sarawak’s log export volume nearly doubled to 63,154 cu m (July:31,787 cu m), with export earnings climbed to RM54 million (RM28.5 million).
India absorbed the bulk or 61,868 cu m worth RM52.5 million, with the balance of 1,286 cu m valued at RM1.55 million went to Taiwan. There was no exports of logs to Japan, also a traditional buyer, last month.
In 8m2025, Sarawak recorded export earnings from logs of RM260.6 million (311,861 cu m), which was down from RM273.6 million (334,770 cu m ) in 8m2024.
The STIDC data revealed that Sarawak reduced the exports of fibreboard to12,553 cu m valued at RM28.4 million last month as compared to 17,668 cu m worth RM39.74 million in July. Sarawak’s fibreboard is well sought by countries around the world, with Japan forking out RM20.5 million for the imports of 8,834 cu m last month. Other key importers were the Philippines which paid RM4.71 million for the purchase of 2,262 cu m and Indonesia RM1.44 million for the imports of 709.7 cu m.
In 8m2025, Sarawak’s total earnings from the exports of fibreboard amounted to RM243 million (109,154 cu m), which was a steady growth from RM214.7 million (96,601 cu m) in 8m2024.
Sawn timber is another main timber product exported by Sarawak, which brought in RM7.73 million on export volume of 5,710 cu m last month, which was marginally lower than RM7.97 million (6,563 cu m) recorded in July.
Yemen, the single largest export market for Sarawak’s sawn timber this year, did not import any last month. Oman became the biggest importer, paying RM3.49 million for 2,926 cu m, followed by Taiwan which imported 1,413 cu m for RM1.95 million.
In 8m2025, Sarawak’s export receipts from sawn timber stood at RM81 million (58,327 cu m), which was sharply lower than RM101.4 million (64,876 cu m) recorded in 8m2024. Last month, Sarawak increased the export of laminated board/flooring to 789 cu m worth RM5.69 million as compared to 650 cu m valued at RM4.38 million in July. The United States of America was the largest buyer of Sarawak’s flooring, with import bill of RM5.22 million (702 cu m), followed by Vietnam RM257,249 (48.5 cu m). In 8m2025, flooring exports earned Sarawak RM29.44 million.
Other timber products exported by Sarawak last month include doorskin (1,171 cu m valued at RM3.13 million); door panels & frames (1,128 cu m worth RM2.17 million); veneer (650 cu m valued at RM1.09 million) and moulding (279 cu m worth RM546,163).
Sarawak’s export value of furniture & furniture parts shrank significantly to RM895,766 (12,827 units) last month from RM2.87 million (27,065 units) in July.
Japan was the largest export market for Sarawak’s furniture & furniture parts worth RM471,296, followed by Brunei Darussalam RM263,210 and the US RM126,059. In 8m2025, Sarawak had exported RM18.83 million worth of furniture & furniture parts.
Wood pellets is a major export revenue earner for Sarawak, which generated RM17.2 million (23,616 tonnes) last month despite it was lower than RM21.9 million (30,000 tonnes) in July. Total export value stood at RM82.2 million in 8m2025.
Last month, Sarawak also exported woodchips worth RM1.73 million and charcoal valued at RM1 million.
In 8m2025, Sarawak’s total export earnings from the timber sector was about RM1.67 billion.
