Log imports to China

Log imports to China from New Zealand and the Usa were up 26 percent in the second half of 2012 after declining during the first six months of the year and Chinese log prices reached new record highs, reports the “Wood Resource Quarterly” (www.woodprices.com).
Shipments picked up with New Zealand and the Usa gaining the biggest market shares. The Chinese domestic log market also heated up, with log prices reaching record high levels. Total imports in the 2H/12 were up nine percent, but the increase was not equally distributed between supplying countries. Shipments from New Zealand and the Usa were up 29 percent and 20 percent, respectively, while Russian exports to China fell nine percent in the 2H/12 as compared to the 1H/12.