China timber market continues downward

China’s foreign trade in forest products tumbled again, according to the latest market report by the International Tropical Timber Organisation.

The value of import and export trade declined for the second successive quarter due to shrinking demand from developed countries in Europe, the US and Japan.

Latest figures for the first quarter show trade fell 19% to US$11.8bn, compared with the same period in 2008. Imports were down 28% to US$4.8bn and exports fell 11% to US$6.9bn.

Exports of plywood declined 41% by volume to almost one billion m³ and 38% by value to US$462.2m. Other wood products, such as doors, windows and flooring, declined 11% to US$649.2m.

Sawnwood imports of 1.5 million m³, primarily from Russia, North America, Thailand and New Zealand, were little changed by volume, but fell 12.8% in value to US$373.4m.

Imports of wood-based panels continued to decline. Plywood was down 57% by volume and 56% by value, fibreboard down 32% by both volume and value, particleboard declined 23% by volume and 34% by value and veneer was down 44% by volume and 47% by value.