Cedar log prices for China have been in a bullish trend since the beginning of the year. The Chinese government eased restrictions on the zero-Covid policy and the economy is lively again. Source: Tropical Timber Market Report
The prices of radiata pine logs from New Zealand rose due to the torrential rain at the end of January in New Zealand. Japanese exporter says that inquiries for cedar logs in Japan are increasing.
Cedar log prices declined to US$100 from US$110, C&F per cbm at the end of 2022. Now, the cedar log prices are US$115 – US$120 in the middle of February 2023 because the prices of radiata pine logs in New Zealand are higher than before.
It takes about 10,000 yen to export logs and the price has not changed since the end of last year. There was a log market held in southern part of Kyusyu area on 6 February and many exporters bought curved of damaged logs.
Freight is US$40,000 – US$45,000 in the middle of February and this is lower than US$60,000 at the end of last year. Freight would rise if there were not only wood products but also a lot of other products.
The selling prices depend on each Japanese exporter and if the selling prices are US$115 – US$120, there would be a deficit slightly.
According to data from China’s Customs, 2022 sawnwood imports totalled 26.66 million cubic metres valued at US$7.53 billion, a year-on-year decreases of 8% in volume and 4% in value on 2021.
The average price for imported sawnwood in 2022 was US$282 per cubic metre, a year on year rise of 4%.
China’s sawnwood imports fell in 2022 because of the impact on manufacturing of the widespread lockdowns, the supply chain disruptions brought on by the Russian invasison of Ukraine and the global shipping disruptions.
Of total sawnwood imports sawn softwood imports fell 12% to 17.33 million cubic metres accounting for 65% of the national total. The proportion of sawnwood imports dropped about 3% year on year.
The average price for imported sawn softwood was US$234 per cubic metre, up 6% year on year. Sawn hardwood imports rose 1% to 9.33 million cubic metres valued at US$3.48 billion, a year on year increase 1% in volume but a decrease 1% in value in 2022. The average price for imported sawn hardwoods was US$373 per cubic metre, a year-on-year decline of 2%.
Of total sawn hardwood imports, tropical sawn hardwood imports were 6.35 million cubic metres valued at US$1.91 billion, a year-on-year increase of 6% in volume and 2% in value and accounted for about 24% of the national total, up 3% on 2021 levels.
The average price for imported tropical sawn hardwood was US$301 per cubic metre, down 4% year on year.
