China's imports of softwood logs up at expense of hardwoods
¡¾2002.06.11¡¿

In the latest data reported on imports through Shanghai in 2001, some 2.07 million cubic metres of timber with a value of US$530 million were handled. Of this, logs made up 866,000 cubic metres; sawnwood some 1.07 million cubic metres; and plywood around 135,000 cubic metres. Compared with 2000, import volumes increased by a massive 122%. Trends in imports through Shanghai in 2001 are given below.

The volume of containerszed timber rose considerably surpassing, for the first time, bulk timber shipments. Containerised timber imports for the year were about 1.35 million cubic metres, or 65.3% of the volume handled. Most of the timbers were high value, squares and raw and finished flooring.

The sources of timber imports expanded. The traditional coniferous timbers were from the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Chile and Russia. Various kinds of hardwood peeler logs were mainly from Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and Malaysia and a large variety of high value logs, panels and flooring came from over 100 other supply countries.

Imports of New Zealand softwood logs increased sharply. A total of 366,000 cubic metres of New Zealand logs were imported in 2001; Compared to 2000 this was an increase of 215%. This figure was a new record import of timber from New Zealand, and pushed Indonesia into third place. There were two main reasons for the sharp increase in imports from New Zealand: one was the scale of municipal construction, one the growth in demand for packaging timber and peeler blocks. The second reason was the rapid adoption by New Zealand of the Chinese regulations on log treatment.

Imports of hardwood peeler logs fell as did the quality of these logs. Hardwood peeler logs were previously in a leading position in Shanghai port but now are appearing more prominently in other ports. In Shanghai in 2000 only 30,000 cubic metres of Indonesian logs, 45,000 cubic metres of Malaysian logs and just 12,000 cubic metres for Papua New Guinea logs were handled. Of these shipments a total of 11,286 cubic metres (mainly Indonesian logs) were subject to claim because of volume and severe quality defects.

Imports of sawnwood exceeded that of logs. A total of 1.07 million cubic metres, accounting for 52% was imported through Shanghai in 2001. Of this volume 60% was flooring from Indonesia and Malaysia. The number of Chinese importers increased rapidly during the year and some of these importers lacked foreign trade experience and in these circumstances many had problems with the qulity and volumes of shipments. In one case the claim for decay, cracks and sapwood rot was over 75% and in another case the whole batch were rejected as fake goods.

Imports of European beech increased, but quality issues dominated the business. Some 1,447 batches were imported for the whole year having a total volume of 107,000 cubic metres ( logs 1,359 batches, 96,000 cubic metres and lumber 83 batches, 11,000 cubic metres). Compared to 2000 the number of batches increased by 82%, but the volume increased by only 8. Of the total imports 61 batches (12,000 cubic metres) were subject to claim. Compared to 2000 the number of claims in terms of volume rose by 4%.

The imports of plywood fell but importers say the quality of imports improved improved. A total of 290 batches of plywood were imported from Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia and Korea these totalled 135,000 cubic metres. Of this volume about 90% was special plywood for container floors, conventional plywood was not commonly imported.

Severe insect and/or fungal infestations were observed in nearly 600 batches of imported timber during 2000 ranging over 30 countries and regions. In terms of Southeast Asia, most problems were noted with timber from Indonesia, Malaysia and Myanmar, involving both logs and lumbers. Analysts note that the confidence by China importers in some countries' quarantine certificates was low.

Changjiagang Consumption Up

Changjiagang, situated in the Yangtze River delta, is one of China's most developed regions. Recently, owing to the rapid development of economy in the delta region, especially in Shanghai, the need for timber has increased rapidly. Since the region is located in the plain and has little domestic forest resources timber is transported in from other regions. In the recent past demand was met from domestic resources in the northeastern timber supply regions. With the dramatic reduction in domestic harvests the region now depends on imported timber.
Timber imports in the delta region in the past were mainly completed through Shanghai port but with the rapid development of the Shanghai economy, its own trading volume has expanded so much as to occupy the full capacity of the Shanghai port and operating costs in Shanghai have risen sharply. In this situation, Changjiagang has becomes an alternative port for Shanghai and has developed into the country's second largest port in terms of imports.

According to statistics from the Changjiagang Inspection Bureau, the port handled some 2 million cubic metres if timber in 2001, mainly from the following 3 regions: Southeast Asia - some 610,000 cubic metres, West Africa - some 620,000 cubic metres and Papua New Guinea - some 600,000 cubic metres. Timbers from West Africa were mainly Okoume, other species included Padauk, Ayous, Bilinga, Andoung, Ozigo and Sapelli. The main species from Southeast Asia were Meranti, Keruing, Merbau and Kapur. A wide range of species were imported from Papua New Guinea.

Standard Timber Names

It is reported that the National Standard of the People's Republic of China, GB/T 18513-2001, for Names of the Main Imported Woods, became effective on May 1, 2002.

Recently, with China's rapid development of economy, the needs for timber has increased rapidly and imports have grown from 6 continents. Since the variety of sources of imported woods are extensive and many woods are not very well know in the Chinese market, names of these various timbers can be very confusing for the importer and consumer. As a result trade disputes can arise due to the problems over the names of the timbers. In order to avoid such problems, under the direction of the State Forestry Administration, a new standard was drafted by the China Wood Standardization Committee and the Institute of Wood Industry, Chinese Academy of Forestry.

The standard includes names for 423 timbers, basically including all globally important commercial species. The compilation of the timber names was done by family and genus with the latter as the basis. The standard summarises timber characteristics and use by species and gives the name of the wood on the basis of genus.