KUCHING: Malaysia is among the top three suppliers of wooden bedroom furniture and office furniture parts to Japan.
In November 2024, Malaysia exported RM5.26 million worth of wooden bedroom furniture (HS 940350) to Japan, out of the latter’s total imports of RM85.77 million worth of the product. Japan paid RM52.67 million for shipments from top supplier China, RM24.98 million from Vietnam, and RM1.14 million from Indonesia, according to figures from Japan’s Finance Ministry.
“The value of shipments of wooden bedroom furniture in November 2024 is built on the gains seen in an unexpected rise in the value of October imports, lifting the value of imports back to levels seen mid-year. The November 2024 import value was up around 9 per cent compared to November 2023 and also increased by approximately 4 per cent compared to October levels.
“The top shippers of wooden bedroom furniture to Japan in November were China (61 per cent), Vietnam (29 per cent), and Malaysia (6 per cent, a rise from the previous month),” according to the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO) Tropical Timber Market Report (January 16-31, 2025).
For wooden furniture parts (HS 940391), Japan imported RM59.29 million worth of the product, including RM5.1 million from Malaysia in November. Shipments from China, Indonesia, and Vietnam were valued at RM29.7 million, RM12.84 million, and RM6.74 million, respectively.
The value of shipments from China, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Malaysia accounted for more than 90 per cent of Japan’s November imports, with China taking a 50 per cent share of the total import value. This was followed by Indonesia (22 per cent), Vietnam (10 per cent), and Malaysia (9 per cent). Twelve shippers from Europe accounted for merely 3 per cent of Japan’s total import value for the month, while Papua New Guinea emerged as a significant supplier.
For kitchen furniture (HS 940340), Japan’s import bill for November 2024 amounted to RM49.78 million, with the Philippines as the top supplier (RM24.78 million), followed by Vietnam (RM12.72 million) and Germany (RM3.67 million). Malaysia remains a minor supplier to Japan.
“As was the case in October 2024, the value of shipments from the Philippines accounted for 50 per cent of the total value of HS 940340 imports, while imports from Vietnam accounted for 26 per cent, and Germany held a 7 per cent share of the November imports.
“The year-on-year value of Japan’s wooden kitchen furniture imports rose in November. However, compared to the previous month, the value of November imports declined slightly following the nearly 30 per cent surge seen in October,” said the ITTO report.
For wooden office furniture (HS 940330), Japan recorded a 2 per cent increase in import value to RM8.56 million in November compared to October 2024. Once again, China dominated with an 82 per cent share (RM7 million) of Japan’s total import bill, followed by Malaysia in second place (9 per cent) with RM582,469, and then Italy and Turkey.
