world news - 20.08.2003
China: First Half Sawnwood Trade
In terms of suppliers, the top 5 countries were Indonesia (523,000 cubic metres, 19%, USA (332,000 cubic metres, 12%), Thailand (331, 000 cubic metres, 12%, Russia (311,000 cubic metres, 11.3% and Malaysia (220 000 cubic metres, or 8%).
Changes in ranking have taken place compared to the same period last year. Top ranked for sawnwood Indonesia and Malaysia, slipped slightly, down 14.3% and 13% respectively. But sawnwood imports from USA, Thailand and Russia all increased (up 15.7%, 26.3% and 10.7% respectively). The rank of Russia and Thailand was reversed with Thailand climbing to number three from fourth.
In the first half of 2003 imports were dominated by hardwood sawnwood, 2.046 million cubic metres or 74.4% of the total sawnwood imports and were up 4.8% in volume terms compared to the same period last year. Coniferous sawnwood imports (704 000 cubic metres) increased at a higher rate and were up 24.6%.
In the first half of 2003 China's imported sawnwood totaled 2.75 million cubic metres worth US$580 million, up 9.3% in volume and 5.5% in value compared to the same period last year. But the growth of imports compared to last year appeared to drop sharply, down by 30% in volume and 16.5% in value respectively.
See also:
- — China: First Half Roundwood Trade
- — Brazilian Furniture Exports Set to Rise
- — Russian Japan Timber Trade
- — Finland: Sawn&Plywood Production
- — Pulp inventories increase
