Global shipments of softwood logs were up 20% in the first quarter of 2010, according to Wood Resource Quarterly.
The growth follows a fall of 30% in 2007-2009 and may, says Wood Resources, represent a turning point for the global log trade.
The biggest rise in softwood log imports was in western Europe and Asia, with imports to China, South Korea, Germany and Belgium gaining the most during the quarter.
Russia remains the major supplier of softwood logs but its share has fallen from almost 40% in 2006 to less than 28% in the first quarter of 2010.
New Zealand remains in second place and has grown its log exports thanks to increases in Russia’s log tax.
New Zealand radiata pine now accounts for about 13% of globally traded logs.
China remains the biggest log importer, accounting for a third of all log imports, with volumes up 17% in the first half compared to a year ago.
