China’s log demand slows due to low temperatures

Log demand in China remained steady through November and early December but severely low temperatures at the end of December has slowed construction activity. Log sale prices had increased due to market concerns about reduced supply from New Zealand. China softwood log inventory is about 2.4m m3, and daily port off-take has remained about 60-70k m3 per day. Sawmills in Northern China have closed this week due to very severe cold weather conditions and sawmills in Southern China plan to close early for the Chinese New Year. The CFR sale price for A grade pine logs ...