According to China Customs data in the first half of 2020 China’s log imports showed a year on year decline of 68% in volume and 70% in value. While New Zealand’s log exports to China fell by 70%, the country still held position 1 among the suppliers with 5.25 million cubic metres. Meanwhile Germany (2.71 million cu.m, -36%) overtook Russia (2.68 million cu.m, -65%). The average price for imported logs from Germany was US$106 per cubic metre lower than from Russia (US$122 per cubic metre) giving shippers in Germany an advantage.
They were followed by Australia (1.65 million cu.m, -68%), Papua New Guinea (1.17 million cu.m, -64%) and Czech Republic (1.10 million cu.m, -52%). In total China imported 19.68 million cubic metres valued at US$2.83 billion in the first half of the year.