Imports of plywood into Japan dropped 24% in December 2008, compared with the same month the previous year, according to the Japan Lumber Reports (JLR).
Meanwhile annual imports fell to their lowest levels for 33 years, reaching 3.56 million m3, an 11% fall on the previous year.
JLR also reports that two major plywood mills, Seihoku and Seihoku Plywood had been raising sales prices since early February by 50 yen per sheet. Mills have been affected by low sales prices and have decided to raise prices with tighter supply.
