China expected to boost lumber imports due to limited supply of logs

As late as 2019, China imported almost 100 million m3 rwe (roundwood equivalents) of softwood logs and lumber to meet the growing demand for forest products in the domestic market. Since then, wood consumption has declined, and the importation of forest products has decreased to levels not seen in over a decade. China imported about 12 million m3 of logs and lumber (rwe) in the 1Q 2023, nearly half its peak in the 3Q 2020 and the second lowest quarterly imports in ten years.  According to the World Bank, China’s economy took a big hit during the ...