KUCHING: Sarawak has recorded lower total export earnings of about RM1.21 billion (free on board value) from the exports of logs and timber products in the January-June 2025 period (1H2025), which was a decrease of RM241 million from RM1.45 billion in 1H2024 or down by nearly 17 per cent.
Year-on-year, the decreased export revenue was due primarily to the lower quantity of plywood products and logs exported, according to preliminary export figures released by Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC). In 1H2025, Sarawak exported 313,167 cubic metres (cu m) of plywood products valued at about RM633.7 million, down from 316,447 cu m worth RM709.8 million in 1H2024. Japan, the traditional top buyer of Sarawak plywood products, paid about RM536.2 million (1H2024:RM563.3 million) for the purchase of 257,136 cu m (240,245 cu m) of the products in the first half year of 2025.
Yemen was Sarawak’s second largest plywood export market, absorbing 29,571 cu m valued for RM51.2 million (43,873 cu m for RM80.1 million).
Taiwan ranked third with increased imports of 18,226 cu m worth RM29 million (15,416 cu m valued at RM28.2 million), followed by the Philippines with the purchase of 1,788 cu m for RM5.43 million (2,391 cu m for RM8.32 million). During the same period, Sarawak’s plywood exports to South Korea dropped sharply to 1,504 cu m valued at RM2.62 million (7,420 cu m for RM13.76 million).
This year, Sarawak only exported plywood products to 18 countries, down from 22 in 2024 as no exports to the United States (US), New Zealand and Canada. In June 2025, plywood exports 47,133 cu m and brought in RM94.94 million revenue for Sarawak, which was lower than 50,531 cu m for RM103.5 million in the previous month of May. On logs, Sarawak recorded lower export receipts of RM178.1 million (1H2024:RM200.7 million) in line with shipment volume which shrank to 216,920 cu m from 247,255 cu m a year ago. India paid RM170.7 million (RM195.8 million) for buying the bulk or 208,940 cu m (241,493 cu m). Taiwan and Japan forked out RM5.2 million and RM2.2 million to import 5,056 cu m and 2,925 cu m respectively from Sarawak.
The top two timber species exported are meranti and kapur. Compared to May 2025, logs exports shrank 26,356 cu m (worth RM22.7 million) in June against 44,310 cu m (RM37.1 million) in the previous month. The STIDC figures revealed that Sarawak earned RM174.9 million from the export of 78,934 cu m of fibreboard in 1H2025, and this was lower as compared to RM194.9 million (87,519 cu m) registered in 1H2024. Sarawak sold fibreboard to 10 overseas markets, with Japan dominating the purchase worth RM125.8 million (55,905 cu m), followed by the Philippines, which paid RM29 million (13,477 cu m) and Vietnam which forked out RM6.57 million (2,681 cu m). Sawn timber is the next main timber product exported. In 1H2025, Sarawak’s export earnings from the product fell to RM65.3 million RM82.9 million) as the export volume decreased to 45,055 cu m from 51,962 cu m.
Yemen, the No 1 buyer of Sarawak’s sawn timber, secured 10,736 cu m for RM22.3 million, followed by Oman with imports of 9.954 cu m (RM10.63 million) and the Philippines with shipment of 8,354 cu m (RM7.7 million). Sarawak’s sawn timber is well sought after by 19 countries. In 1H2025,Sarawak also generated export revenue from flooring (RM19.4 million), doorskin (RM18.93 million), door panels & frames (RM12.3 million), veneer (RM4.31 million), moulding RM2.56 million), particleboard (RM113,694) and other products (RM7.98 million).
The US and Pakistan are the biggest markets for Sarawak’s flooring and doorskin respectively while Japan almost absorbed the entire export volume of Sarawak’s door panels & frames. In 1H2025, Sarawak reported weak earnings in the export of furniture & furniture parts, with export revenue plunged to RM15.1 million from RM31.3 million in 1H2024 as the number of units exported fell to 205,480 from 928,077.
Top buyer, the US paid RM10.55 million for the imports of 70,342 units, followed by Japan which imported RM3.95 million worth of the products. Year-on-year, Sarawak’s exports of woodchips nosedived to 59,839 tonnes from 130,084 tonnes, with export value plunged to RM29.97 million from RM86.4 million in 1H2024.
China and Japan are the only two buyers of Sarawak’s woodchips. Sarawak registered foreign exchange earnings of RM43.1 million from the exports of 56,713 tonnes of wood pellets against RM42.38 million (57,669 tonnes) in 1H2024. The exports of charcoal brought in revenue of RM4.59 million for Sarawak in 1H2025, marginally higher than RM4.43 million recorded in 1H2024.
