China’s log imports in the first quarter of 2018 totalled 14.38 million cubic metres valued at US$2.753 billion, a year on year increase of 14% in volume and 25% in value.
The average price for imported logs was US$191 per cubic metre, a year on year increase of 9%.
Of total log imports, softwood log imports rose 9% to 9.45 million cubic metres, accounting for 66% of the total. The average price for imported softwood logs was US$138 per cubic metre, up 8% on the same period of 2017.
Hardwood log imports grew 25% to 4.93 million cubic metres in the first quarter (34% of the national total log imports). The average price for imported hardwood logs in the first quarter of 2018 was US$293 per cubic metre, up 5% on the same period of 2017.
Of total hardwood log imports, tropical log imports were 2.65 million cubic metres valued at US$837 million, up 22% in volume and 28% in value.
The average price for imported tropical logs was US$316 per cubic metre, up 5% on the same period of 2017.