Our Imports Of New Zealand Timber Have Remained Firm This Year

 It is reported that New Zealand log export prices are recovering. Export prices in November were $9 higher than in October, and prices for North Island exporters were $5- $10 higher.

 Since the beginning of this year, New Zealand's timber exports to our country have not shown significant growth. As of the first 10 months of this year, total imports increased by 1.73 percentage points, and even in the third quarter, imports fell by 16.87 percent quarter-on-quarter and 11.32 percent year-on-year.

After a three-month decline in imports from July to September, in October, domestic imports of New Zealand timber increased by 17.59% to 1.57 million cubic meters, an increase of 3 percentage points year-on-year. Overall, China's imports of New Zealand timber this year remain strong.

However, from the point of view of the average price to Hong Kong, the price of New Zealand logs exported to our country has continued to fall this year, only in March there was a 0.78% year-on-year increase. On a month-on-month basis, import prices rose in September from August.

"China still accounts for over 80 per cent of our export market, but it is vital that New Zealand forestry companies seek new markets," said Allan Laurie of Laurie forestry, a New Zealand forestry consultancy and management company.

"It's really time for New Zealand Forestry companies to get out there and start looking at other markets, improving our sales opportunities internationally and looking at non-traditional markets." Even though we know that radiata pine is very competitive with many other species." Allan Laurie says.

"For the timber industry in New Zealand, diversification is key to industry growth. Most sawmills in New Zealand rely on exports but produce more wood than they consume." Said the New Zealand timber trader.

In addition to the Chinese market, New Zealand is also exporting timber to South Korea, and India is being considered as a target market. However, in the view of New Zealand timber traders, the Korean market is "probably in worse shape than China at the moment".

Unlike in the past few years, the Indian market may now be a good opportunity for New Zealand radiata pine exporters, as the price to export there is close to the price in China.

It can be said that behind the decline in New Zealand log prices is a decline in demand in the New Zealand domestic market, an oversupply of capacity, and a slowdown in demand and prices for wood in the international market. In this context, China's imports of New Zealand logs can still maintain last year's level, and become one of the few logs to maintain a small increase, it can be seen that domestic demand for logs is still in.