The presence of plywood ‘made in Nepal’ is now more visible in Northern markets and now reaching to central region. It has been noted Nepal originated plywood are increasing to sell in the India market, because of its cheap pricing. On the contrary high timber cost is forcing Indian producers to sell at 25-35% higher rates compared to two years ago prices. The Present Indian plywood is starting from 47 marks onwards where Nepalese Plywood is available far cheaper than this, as per market report.
As per a report from Nepal, they have been becoming self-reliant in plywood production and plywood capacity utilization has been noted to improve 100 % compared to the last 6 months. In addition to that, the country has also started exporting plywood to various countries including neighbouring country India.
In the last three months alone, Nepal exported plywood worth Rs 500 million, said Dinesh Chapagain, Secretary of Nepal Veneer Producers' Association, Jhapa. Since the demand for Nepali plywood is high, the country has set a target to export plywood worth five billion rupees this year alone.
According to Chapagain, there are 79 registered plywood industries in Nepal. Of them, 63 industries are exporting their products. Jhapa has the largest number of plywood industries in the country with 16 currently in operation.
Meanwhile, President of Nepal Veneer Producers Association Jhapa, Deepak Pandey said the state should provide incentives to the plywood-based industries in the country as the demand for wooden products is increasing abroad.
Report from the India Plywood market confirmed the increasing import of Plywood from Nepal every month. Dealers from UP, Delhi, MP, Bihar, Jharkhand, who are looking for Hardwood Plywood, are willing to buy Nepalese Plywood because it is 25 % cheaper than Plywood available in UP and Haryana.
Dealers say that these plywoods are taking market share of economical grade commercial plywood because they don’t give quality guarantees. The Ply Reporter office receives phone calls regularly, and dealers ask the contact details of Nepalese plywood exporters.