Q1 2023 saw a decline in Chinese log import volumes and value

Posted on May 29, 2023   |  

In Q1 2023, China’s log imports fell by 7% to 9.27 million m³ in volume and in value, it fell by 18% to $1,606 billion compared to Q1 2022. 

The average price for imported logs also fell by 12% to $173 (CIF) per m³ and of which, softwood log imports grew by 1% to 6.72 million m³, accounting for 72% of the national total.

New Zealand and Germany were the biggest suppliers of logs to China in Q1. China’s imports from New Zealand grew by 13% to 3.78 million m³ but fell by 24% to 1.17 million m³ from Germany.

Due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, China’s imports of Russian logs fell by 38% to 460,000 m³.