Slight decrease in softwood log imports

Article by Philipp Matzku (translated by Eva Guzely) | 23.05.2023 - 10:22

In the first four months, China’s softwood log imports decreased by 1% compared to the same period of 2022. More than half of the country’s total imports came from New Zealand. Meanwhile, shipments from Germany were down by around 30%.

From January to April, China imported a constant volume of 9.12 million m³. Softwood log imports from New Zealand grew by 10%, totaling 5.12 million m³. As main supplier, New Zealand now provides 55% of China’s total imports. Shipments from Japan saw a year-on-year increase of 10%, which brings the total to 345,000 m³.

With 483,500 m³ of softwood logs, Poland remains narrowly ahead of the US. While the US sold 466,000 m³ to China and thus remained nearly exactly at the level recorded in 2022, Poland saw its deliveries skyrocket by more than 1,100% compared to the first four months of last year.

Softwood log imports from Germany decreased by 28% to 1.44 million m³ this year. In the first four months of 2022, China had still bought 1.99 million m³ from Germany. A negative trend can also be seen in shipments coming from Canada, which were down by 20% and totaled 312,000 m³. Imports from the Czech Republic more than halved (104,000 m³; -57%).