US Dollar Exchange Rates of
10th
Dec
2024
China Yuan 7.25
Report from China
Prospects and market demand for rubberwood
The "2024 Rubberwood Global Industry Chain Innovation
and Development Matchmaking Conference" was held in
Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and the
"2024 Annual Meeting of the National Innovation
Alliance of Rubberwood and Products under the National
Forestry and Grassland Administration" was held at the
same time.
China is one of the world's largest rubberwood consumers
but domestic rubberwood production cannot meet market
demand so a large volume is imported. Thailand is one of
the main sources of China's rubberwood imports and the
value of trade in rubberwood and products between China
and Thailand has stabilised at about USUS$2 billion over
the past five years. China also imports some rubberwood
from Indonesia and Malaysia.
China's rubberwood imports have steadily increased in
recent years and it has become the largest single category
of imported sawn hardwood accounting for nearly 50%.
From January to September 2024 China imported 3.83
million cubic metres of sawn rubberwood, an increase of
16% over the same period of 2023. Imports of rubberwood
veneer was about 128,000 tonnes, a year on year increase
of 85%.
The following innovations have been developed in the
rubberwood industry in China. These new materials, new
technologies and new equipment have greatly improved
the utilisation rate and added value of rubberwood.
Innovations in processing technology such as CNC
engraving and laser cutting are widely used in the
production of rubberwood products leading to improved
production efficiency and offering opportunities for
unique designs. In addition, the surface of rubberwood
veneer has been enhanced through the use of coatings and
UV isobaric paste processes.
Today rubberwood can be made more durable with
technology that is more environmentally friendly and
safer. Heat treatment technology, resin impregnation
technology, compaction technology and modification
technology of rubberwood have improved product
performance and expand possible applications.
In order to develop the rubberwood industry, China
established the Rubber Wood and Products Innovation
Alliance in 2023. The alliance currently has more than 100
enterprise members and released the "Rubberwood
Industry Chain Development Report 2024". Experts
predict that consumption and demand of China's
rubberwood will continue to grow.
Canada Wood strengthens cooperation with China
Given the growing potential for Canadian Wood products
to play a significant role in China's construction marke
Canada Wood has a strategic focus promoting mass timber
and hybrid construction in China with the signing of three
pivotal memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with key
stakeholders recently.
These agreements are with Treezo Group, East China
Architectural Design & Research Institute (ECADI) and
the National Center for Technology Innovation-Green
Building (NCTI-GB).
The National Center for Technology Innovation–Green
Building (NCTI-GB), endorsed by the Ministry of
Housing and Urban-Rural Development (MOHURD) and
the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) is a
national platform focused on decarbonising construction
and promoting green building technologies.
A MOU between Canada Wood and the NCTI-GB
underscores a commitment to joint efforts in esource
sharing, technical exchange, and the development of
standards and demonstration projects. This collaboration is
poised to drive advancements in mass timber construction,
with a shared goal of establishing wood as a key
component in China’s green building agenda.
According to MoU the two entities will carry out
cooperation in the exploration of hidden carbon in
buildings, the promotion of modern wood structure
technology, the promotion of demonstration projects and
information support, jointly promote the development of
bamboo and wood construction industry and make positive
contributions to global green and low-carbon
development.
See: https://canadawood.org/canada-wood-strengthens-strategic-
partnerships-with-three-key-mous-in-china/
and
https://www.treezogroup.com/News/Detail/1189991185763198/2
427272030348936
Booming wood products trade between China and
Canada
Imports
China's imports of wood products from Canada have
mostly increased between January and October 2024.
China’s log imports from Canada rose 26% to 1.02
million, sawnwood imports from Canada grew 1% to 1.11
million cubic metres between January and October 2024.
China’s plywood imports from Canada surged 556% to
577 cubic metres over the same period of 2023. China’s
particle board imports from Canada soared 53% to 102
tonnes over the same period of 2023.
In contrast, China’s fibreboard imports from Canada
dropped 98% sharply just to 0.8 tonnes between January
and October 2024 and China’s furniture imports from
Canada plummeted 66% to USUS$102,000 between
January to October 2024.
Exports
China's exports of wood products to Canada expanded
between January and October 2024. China’s plywood
exports to Canada rose 26% to 312,000 cubic metres over
the same period of 2023.
China’s particleboard exports from Canada grew 9% to
2,900 tonnes over the same period of 2023 and China’s
fibreboard exports to Canada increased 26% to 97,800
tonnes between January to October 2024.
China’s furniture exports to Canada rose 10% to
USUS$690 million between January and October 2024. In
contrast, China’s sawnwood exports to Canada fell 33% to
1,041 cubic metres over the same period of 2023.
Surge in plywood imports from Russia
According to China Customs, plywood imports from
Russia, the largest supplier, surged nearly 260% between
January and October 2024. The value of plywood imports
from Russia also rose 32% to USUS$148 million over the
same period of 2023.
94% of China’s plywood were imported from Russia
between January to October 2024 and China's plywood
imports from Russia have risen sharply leading to an
overall rise in total plywood imports.
China’s plywood imports totalled 735,000 cubic metres,
surging over 700% between January and October 2024.
Plywood imports from Vietnam and Sweden surged nearly
4,700% and 350% respectively between January and
October 2024. China’s plywood imports from Indonesia
also rose 30% largely.
Rise in plywood exports
According to China Customs, plywood exports totalled
10.776 million cubic metres, up 23% between January and
October 2024. The biggest increase was in plywood
exports to Taiwan P.o.C, up nearly 170% over the same
period of 2023.
China’s plywood exports to the Philippines, the top market
destination, rose 3% to 815,000 cubic metres. In contrast,
China’s plywood exports to Japan and Nigeria decreased
3% and 11% respectively between January and October
2024.
Plywood exports pivot to Asian countries
The US was the main international market for China’s
plywood in the past. Since the US imposed tariffs on
Chinese plywood export-oriented plywood enterprises
have diversified marketing.
According to China Customs, between January and
October 2024 50% of China’s plywood was exported to
Asia a year on year increase of 19% to 4.99 million cubic
metres. Asia was the second largest plywood export
market.
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