The timber import market shows a trend of adjustment
In the first five months of 2024, the total import volume of domestic timber reached 27.85 million cubic meters, a decrease of 1.2% compared to the same period in 2023. In terms of trade volume, the cumulative amount was 5.77 billion US dollars, a year-on-year decrease of 2.64%. This slight decline indicates that the current timber market has not yet experienced a comprehensive recovery.

Of particular note is that in May, both the total import volume and trade volume of timber experienced a more significant decline, with a decrease of 6.45% and 8.4% respectively. This change may indicate that the market is undergoing a deeper adjustment.

Simultaneous reduction of imports of logs and sawn timber
Through in-depth analysis of the data, it is not difficult to find that the decrease in raw wood imports is the main reason for the overall decline. In May, the onshore volume of domestic logs decreased by 4% compared to the same period last year, and the trade volume also decreased by 9.6% accordingly. This change may be related to the backlog of raw wood inventory at the port in the early stage, and the failure of market demand to keep up in a timely manner. At the same time, the import of sawn timber also continued the downward trend in April, and the decline has expanded, increasing from 6.56% to 9.82%.

Russia's timber trade position is stable
Despite the overall downward trend in the market, Russia's position as an important partner in China's timber trade remains stable. From January to May 2024, China's total import of timber from Russia reached 1.22 billion US dollars, ranking first. In terms of import volume, New Zealand ranks first with 8.04 million cubic meters, and its trade volume has also increased by 10%. However, the EU's timber exports to China continued to decline, with a year-on-year decrease of 41%.

The import volume of coniferous wood shows a downward trend
In terms of wood types, the import volume of coniferous wood has also shown a downward trend. From January to May 2024, the import volume of coniferous logs in China was 11.38 million cubic meters, and the import volume of coniferous sawn timber was 7.45 million cubic meters, both of which decreased by 4% compared to the same period last year. The export volume of countries such as New Zealand, Japan, and Canada has increased, but the export volume of Europe and the United States has decreased. It is worth mentioning that the demand for Shabili sawn timber in China has rebounded, with imports increasing by 152% in the first five months.

In summary, the current China's timber import market is undergoing profound adjustments and changes. From the reduction in imports of logs and sawn timber, to fluctuations in exports from different countries, to the decline in imports of coniferous wood, these changes reveal the dynamics and trends of the market. For enterprises in the timber industry, paying attention to market information and adjusting market strategies in a timely manner will be the key to responding to market changes.