China’s softwood market has experienced dramatic growth over the past five years, with imports of lumber and logs increasing by 360% and 80% respectively. Robust GDP growth and rapid urbanization has driven demand above the ability of local supply sources to satisfy. Source: Timberbiz, Poyry
China is now the largest importer of softwood in the world. Changes are also occurring in the key supply sources and in the mix of lumber and raw logs being imported. New Zealand has emerged as China’s largest softwood log supplier and Canada as the largest lumber supplier.
Nevertheless, China’s real future demand drivers by region and product segment remain poorly understood with implications for log and lumber suppliers. Contributing factors are differences in softwood types, quality, import locations and cost competitiveness.
Pöyry’s new study has all this information and more, which will help you to understand the fundamentals of the Chinese softwood market.
In includes information on which regions in China will drive demand growth or contraction in the short- to medium-term considering demographics and urbanization. And product segments will lead growth.
Other questions answer including which softwood species and grades best meet particular product specifications and how will China’s regulatory environment affect softwood trade (building codes, trade agreements, tariff/non-tariff barriers and forest certification)?
Pöyry’s Asia Pacific office network has undertaken this study leveraging Australia’s presence in China and supported by its global office network.
The company has collected data through a comprehensive on-the-ground survey in China encompassing: importers, distributors, processors, associations and downstream industries.
This has been further assisted by reviews of key global log and lumber suppliers to the China market. More information at www.poyry.com
