Main current trends in China's demand and supply of wood

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IHB/IFI
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As reported by the International Forest Industries (IFI), the 3rd China/Global Timber & Wood Products Conference held in Guangzhou, in September, drew attention upon some key major supply and demand trends in China.

In 2011, China consumed nearly 500 million m³ of wood, from which imports accounted for 46% of the overall consumption, with a volume of 230 million m³. The wood consumption quota was distributed in the following way:

  • building construction (25%);
  • pulp and paper production (29%);
  • furniture production (18%);
  • wood products output for export (17%);
  • and other (11%).

                                                                                                                                                  In 2012, China imported 37 million m³ of softwood and hardwood logs. Demand is expected to rise 12% in 2013, reaching 42 million m³.

At the same time, in 2013, New Zealand will become China's main source of logs (with 11 million m³ volume of imports), therefore surpassing the Chinese traditionally largest log supplier, Russia. In 2013, Chinese imports of Russian logs are projected to drop 12%.

The fastest-growing log exporter to China is the Ukraine; its log exports are up by more than 250% for the first 7 months of 2013, says IFI.

Imports of logs from Northern Europe and Chile are also expanding rapidly, although at a much lower volume (N. Europe: 75,000 m³; Chile: 75,000 m³).

Chinese sawn lumber imports are estimated to grow 10-11% this year, with an overall volume of 22 million m³. Despite the drop in log exports, Russia is increasing lumber shipments to China, which are expected to rise 10% in 2013 and exceed Canadian exports (which will drop 5%). In the last 5 years, Russian lumber exports to China have more than tripled.

Negative results will be registered in the plywood industry, where Chinese exports are deeply affected by the US anti-dumping tariffs and the European timber regulations.

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