According to Chinese customs statistics, total sawn timber imports in the first quarter of 2023 amounted to 6.522 million cubic meters, valued at $1.658 billion, a 3% increase in volume but an 8% decrease in value compared to the first quarter of 2022. $254 per cubic meter (CIF) in the first quarter, up 12% from the same period in 2022.

Of the total sawn timber imports, sawn timber imports increased by 9% to 4.42 million cubic meters, accounting for 68% of the national total. However, the average price of imported sawn timber fell by 10% to $203 per cubic meter (CIF) compared to the same period in 2022.

Imports of hardwood lumber fell 8% to 2.102 million cubic meters, accounting for 32% of the national total. The average price of imported sawn timber fell by 10% to $362 per cubic meter (CIF) compared to the same period in 2022.

Among the total imports of sawn timber, tropical sawn timber imports amounted to 1.372 million cubic meters with a CIF value of US$409 million. Compared with the same period in 2022, the volume and value decreased by 16% and 14%, respectively, accounting for the total import volume of the country. 21% of the total. Imported tropical sawn timber will average $298 CIF per cubic meter, up 2% from the same period in 2022.

Major suppliers of sawn timber imports

Russia is China's largest supplier of sawn timber imports in the first quarter of 2023. China's sawn timber imports from Russia accounted for 44% of its total sawn timber imports. China imported 2.878 million cubic meters of sawn timber from Russia, an increase of 4%. Shipments from second-largest supplier Thailand fell 17% to 849,000 cubic metres.

China's imports of U.S. sawn timber have increased. In the first quarter of 2023, China's sawn timber imports from the US rose by 27% to 326,000 cubic meters. In contrast, China's sawnwood imports from Canada fell by 25% to 326,000 cubic meters in the first quarter of 2023.

Main sawn softwood sources

Russia is the largest supplier of sawn timber imports. Nearly 60% of China's sawn timber imports in the first quarter of 2023 will come from Russia. China's sawnwood imports from Russia rose 2% to 2.586 million cubic meters, while imports from Sweden, China's second-largest sawnwood supplier, surged 98% to 320,000 cubic meters in the first quarter of 2023.

In addition to a 26% drop in shipments from Canada in the first quarter of 2023, China saw an increase in imports of sawn softwood from major suppliers.

Tropical sawn timber imports fall

In the first quarter of 2023, China's tropical sawlog imports fell by 16% to 1.372 million cubic meters. The top three suppliers are Thailand (62%), the Philippines (12%) and Gabon (8%). In the first quarter of 2023, 82% of China's tropical sawlog imports came from these three countries.

In the first quarter of 2023, China's imports of tropical sawn timber from Thailand, the Philippines and Gabon decreased by 17%, 12% and 35%, respectively, to 849,000 cubic meters, 161,000 cubic meters and 104,000 cubic meters.

In contrast, China’s imports of tropical sawnlog from fourth-largest supplier Myanmar rose by 75% in the first quarter of 2023.