East Java Highest Timber Importer

TEMPO.CO, Semarang - Central Java is considered as one of the highest timber importers nationally, contributing 40 percent of national timber import of 100,000 cubics a year. "Timber import in Central Java is higher than Jakarta, East Java and Medan, which are generally only for door and housing industries," said Kuswidiarso, director of PT Madero International, a timber importer yesterday.

Most of these imported timbers are oaks from the United States. They are most favored in furniture industry in Central Java to be exported back as finished goods. "Oaks are popular due to the furniture demand from Europe," said Kuswidiarso.

Timber import trend in East Java and national has increased, but deplored its price hike, which is higher than domestic industry. The price of oaks has increased US$200,000 dollars per cubic, which can only boost around 10 percent of Central Java import value this year. Pine wood, the cheapest timber, also has its price increased.

"Imported pine wood increased US$50,000 dollars while oak increased from US$500,00 dollars per cubic to US$700,000 dollars per cubic," Kuswidiarso said.

The Central Java Indonesian Furniture Entrepreneurs Association (Asmindo) chairman Anggoro Ratamadiputro confirmed the high price of imported timber from the US in Central Java. Even so, imported timbers are only used for furniture industry which is mostly financed by foreign companies that have orders from European buyers. "Local producers still use domestic timbers. Only a small part uses imported ones," said Anggoro.

EDI FAISOL