Sawlog prices in China fell for the first time in three years in the fourth quarter of 2008, according to Seattle-based Wood Resources Quarterly. The fall was due to reduced demand for lumber, panels and paper products, both domestically and from export markets.
Softwood log imports were down to 4.2 million m³ in the fourth quarter from 6.5 million m³ in the previous quarter – the sixth consecutive quarter that these imports have fallen.
The drop is largely due to a reduction of imports of Russian logs, as imports from other countries have actually increased. For example, New Zealand doubled its shipments of pine logs in a year to 650,000m³ in the fourth quarter and its market share has risen from 6-15%.
Imports from North America have also increased.
