Global timber market review #10-2016

– With declining log inventories at the Chinese ports (about 40% lower than the same time last year) and an uptick in demand for wood in the domestic market, importation of logs has been trending upwards in the first quarter of 2015, WRQ reported. The real estate market in China has been strong so far in 2016, and the sector has been the fastest-growing in a relatively shaky economy.

– Five leading European coated fine paper manufacturers have applied for a review of antidumping and countervailing duties on imports from China, EUWID Paper reported. The companies had provided sufficient evidence that the expiry of the measures would be likely to result in a continuation or recurrence of antidumping, subsidisation and injury, the EC said.

– The Japanese laminated lumber manufacturer Meiken Lamwood Corporation (Okayama prefecture) has completed construction of CLT production plant, which is the first one in Japan, says ITTO in its recent report.

– A sharp increase of the number of wood biomass power generation plants in Japan resulted in the expansion of the fuel supply provided by large trading Japanese companies, Fordaq reported. This happened after the state introduced compensations for utilizing green power: bioenergy generators receive ¥17-32/kWh (14¢-27¢/kWh), depending on the wood source they use. Wood biomass business might offset the decline in the construction business in the future. Sumitomo Forestry’s fuel supply in 2015, domestic wood chips and imported palm kernel shells (PKS), was 1.2 million cubic meters, 5.3% more than 2014. Sumitomo Trading’s imports of wood pellets in 2015 was 77,000 tonnes, 97.4% more than in 2014.

– Stora Enso has introduced a modular construction solution based on CLT solid wood elements to the growing fast construction market, enabling buildings to be ready for use in just a few weeks. There is a need for fast construction in many fields in Europe, for example student housing, school construction and now the significant challenge of providing housing for refugees, woodproducts.fi reported. Factory-manufactured modular construction elements can be delivered to the construction site in a few weeks and installed on a prepared foundation.

– In Japan, the demand for high-quality and standard KD red pine taruki is growing, the inventory is low, and wholesalers have hard times to secure the volumes, ITTO reported. Log harvest season in Russia is over, and the supply of red pine, whitewood and larch is limited. China, which had been using low-grade logs for engineering works materials, is now looking for quality logs and genban, which is used for furniture and free board.

More detailed review of global market trends of roundwood, lumber, wood panels and pellets as well as news of the Russian timber industry; exclusive articles and interviews; over 25 pages of price charts are available in our digital Russian Timber Journal.