china

Softwood log imports up

Article by Martina Nöstler (translated by Eva Guzely) | 03.02.2020 - 09:35

With a total of 44.2 million m³, China saw its softwood log imports grow by 7% last year. This is according to China Customs Statistics. The country received 17.3 million m³ from its main supplying country, i.e. New Zealand, which corresponds to an increase of 2%. Imports from Russia, on the other hand, plummeted by 27% to 5.8 million m³. Nearly 4.3 million m³ of softwood logs, and thus 4% more than in 2018, were bought from Australia.

The growth rates of two European supplying countries are particularly remarkable. Last year, China imported 3.8 million m³ from Germany, i.e. over 1800% more than in 2018. Softwood log imports from the Czech Republic saw a similar development with 2.3 million m³ and thus an increase of 1255%.

Imports from the US fell by 2 million m³ (-40%), though.

China Softwood log imports (1,000 m³) January – December 2019

Country 1-12 2018 1-12 2019 Diff. in %
New Zealand 17,038 17,361 2
Russia 7,953 5,800 -27
Australia 4,127 4,273 4
Germany 196 3,804 1,842
USA 5,030 3,026 –40
Canada 2,331
2,355 1
Czech Republic 169 2,291 1,255
Uruguay 2,060 1,310 -36
Japan 922 930 0.8
Poland 335 471 41
Other countries 1,167 2,587 122
Total 41,327 44,207 7