Lumber review
Media
Part of The American Chamber of Commerce Journal
- Title
- Lumber review
- Language
- English
- Source
- The American Chamber of Commerce Journal Volume XIII (No. 7) July 1933
- Year
- 1933
- Rights
-
- Fulltext
- July, 1933 THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JOURNAL 23 LUMBER REVIEW By ARTHUR F. FISCHER Director of Forestry 1 The total lumber and timber exports for the month of March reg istered an increase of 53% as compared with the corresponding month last year. This was due chiefly to increased ship ments to Japan and China. Unusually large shipments went to Japan during the month under review in anticipation of the passage of the pro posed additional tariff of about P2.00 per cubic meter on logs. The increased tariff on the Philippine product actually went into effect on March 29, 1933. The Philippine trade with China is apparently pick ing up as shown by several inquiries and actual orders placed lately. The exports to that country jumped abruptly from merely a few thousand board feet, average, during the past few months to over a million board feet during March. From all indications, the consumption of this market will this year considerably exceed that of last year. From the United States market, not a few inquiries have also been received by local producers. However, no actual increase as yet in the exports to that country has taken place; the total amount shipped during the month under review remained at low level. Total shipments to Great Bri tain for March showed a slight increase over that for the previous month. For the first time this year, the mill produc tion during the month under review exceeded that for the corresponding month in 1932. In spite of this increase, however, lumber deliveries from the mills continued to exceed the pro duction. The total lumber inventories was 34% less than the stocks at the mills at the end of March of last year. The market for hard woods continued firm during the month under review. It will be remembered that‘prices for these woods in the local markets have slightly improved since the beginning of the year. It is not likely that the improvement already attained along this line would be lost, unless production is so accelerated as to once more render the supply out of pro portion to the actual demand. For the first time, prices for lumber of the export grade reg istered slight increases. Average retail prices, as quoted by various lumber dealers in Manila on March 31, 1933, are given below. Note:—1 Cubic Meter = 424 Board Feet. Sawed Lumber Un sawn Timber Species Price per 1,000 Bd. Ft. in pesos Species Price per 1,000 Bd. Ft. in pesos Red Lauan.. 50-60 Akle......... 36-38 Tanguile. . . 55-60 Ipil........... 40 White Lauan 40-45 Yakal....... 28 Apitong....... 50-55 Guijo....... 20-25 Lumbayao . . 70-80 Narra....... 40-45 Palosapis... . 45-55 1 pe?>o = S0.50 approximately, normal rate of exchange. The present situation of the Philippine lum ber ana timber trade can not but present an optimistic outlook and bring about greater confidence among producers. The United States has actually begun buying as evidence by the resumption of inquiries and placing of orders. Her going off the gold standard has benefitted the islands’ foreign trade, particularly with China and Japan. The increased tariff on Philippine logs in the latter country is not likely to offset the advantage gained, due to favorable exchange. In Great Britain, confidence to buy has returned and this naturally will have its 9094ESCOLTA PI. ~ MASONIC TEMPLE favorable reaction in the islands. Prices, although better than last year, are to be sure still at comparatively low levels; but an active demand in the foreign markets and the upward trend of the prices for the islands’ chict staple crops, noted recently, are bound to bring about improvements along this line. There is only one thing, it is feared, that will mar the above bright prospects and that is, the indiscriminate shipment of lumber abroad with out proper grading. The following statements show the lumber and timber exports, by countries, and mill production and lumber inventory for the month of March, 1933, as compared with the corresponding month the previous year. Lumber and Timber Exports for Marell 1933 CustomsBoard Feet Declared Value Japan............ China............ United States. Great Britain. British Africa. Australia....... Canada......... Hongkong.. . . Hawaii.......... Destination Japan.................... China.................... United States.... Great Britain. . . . British Africa. . . . Australia............... Canada................. Hongkong............. Hawaii.................. Total....... 7,461,076 1*222,787 1932 Board Feet CustomsDeclared Value . 3,757,488 PP85.083 3,816 322 546,536 37,825 470,216 38,753 41,552 3,038 2,766 1,319 1,200 Totai........... ............ 4,876,424 Pl 70,306 Note:—’This represents mostly solid log scale, that is, 424 board feet to a cubic meter. Lumber Deliveries from Mills Month 1933 1932 March................. 14,978,862 11,395,976 Lumber Inventory Month 1933 1932 March................. 22,480,644 34,221,110 Mill Production Month 1933 1932 March................. 12,417,066 10,865,81 Note:—Board feet should be used. THE MANILA HOTEL LEADING HOTEL IN THE ORIENT Designed and constructed to secure coolness, sanitation and comfort under tropic climatic conditions Provides every Western convenience combined with every Oriental luxury Finest Dance Orchestra in the Far East HUBERT C. ANDERSON Management EYESIGHT SERVICE FOR twenty-five years it has been our pleasure to render the best possible service, in order that our patients might see better and be able to use their eyes without strain. In examining eyes, making glasses, or fitting frames, every step is under the personal supervision of a graduate registered Optometrist, and we constantly strive to make our work perfect. Always the best in quality but never higher in price. IN RESPONDING TO ADVERTISEMENTS PLEASE MENTION THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF CQMMERCE JOURNAL