Log and lumber imports to China were down 19% during first eight months of 2012, year-on-year, with the biggest declines seen of logs imported from Russia and the US reported the Wood Resource Quarterly. Source: Timberbiz
Total imports, by value, during the first eight months was 19% less than in 2011, with the biggest declines in logs imported from Russia and the US, and in lumber from North America.
The reduction in construction activities in China during 2012 has resulted in reduced demand for lumber, and as a consequence a sharp decline in the importation of softwood logs and lumber to the country.
By volume, log imports were down 17% and lumber imports down 5%.
The importation of softwood lumber in August was down for the third consecutive
quarter a decline of 21% from May and 23% lower than in August 2011.
Canada and Russia are the two dominant suppliers of softwood lumber to China, together accounting for 84% of the total imports, with the US, Chile and New Zealand making up most of the remaining import volume.
During the first eight months of this year, Russia, Chile and New Zealand increased their shipments to China, while volumes from North America declined.
Chinese softwood log imports have fallen dramatically this year. From January through August, imports from Russia were down 21%, and from the US by 31% as compared with the same period in 2011.
The two other major log-supplying countries, New Zealand and Canada, have shipped practically the same volume this year as last year.
With the reduced demand for logs by the lumber industry in China, log prices have fallen through most of 2012. According to the latest issue of the WRQ, average import softwood log values in the 3Q/12 were down 13% from a year ago, and domestic Chinese-fir log prices have fallen about 6% in 12 months.
