The latest customs data shows that in September 2025, China's total timber imports reached 4.669 million cubic meters, with an import value of US$931 million.

Compared with the same period in 2024, the volume declined by 7.9% and the import value decreased by 10.8%, marking the seventh consecutive month of year-on-year decline in imports. However, compared with August this year, the figures rebounded: both volume and value increased by 15.9% and 13.8% respectively month-on-month.

Overall, in the first nine months of 2025, China's cumulative timber imports reached 42.297 million cubic meters, down 12.4% year-on-year. The import value amounted to US$8.528 billion, a 15.8% year-on-year decline.

Of this total, log imports reached 23.958 million cubic meters in the first nine months, accounting for 56.6% of total imports and declining by 13% year-on-year. The import value fell by 21.6% to $3.752 billion. Meanwhile, sawn timber imports decreased by 11.7% to 18.33 million cubic meters, with the import value declining by 10.6% to $4.775 billion.
 

Supplying Country
In terms of supplying countries, the top ten exporters of timber to China in September were New Zealand, Russia, Thailand, Canada, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Belarus, Japan, the United States, and Finland.

Among these, timber exports to China showed growth trends from New Zealand (+5.2%), Canada (+34.5%), Papua New Guinea (+16.1%), Belarus (+24.7%), and Finland (+53.5%); while other countries experienced varying degrees of decline. The United States saw the steepest drop at 76.1%, followed by Thailand with a 28.8% decrease. Exports from Russia, the Solomon Islands, and Japan to China fell by 1.2%, 5.8%, and 6.6% respectively.

Notably, Germany remained outside China's top ten timber import sources in September, with exports plummeting 52.6% year-on-year. Imports from European nations like Latvia and Croatia increased by 33.7% and 32.6%, respectively. Compared to August, timber imports from Australia dropped 48% in September. Additionally, timber imports from Vietnam surged 145% year-on-year.

Among major African timber-producing countries, only the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic saw export growth to China, rising by 7.9% and 97.2% respectively. Other countries like Gabon (-23%), the Republic of the Congo (-15.8%), Cameroon (-41.5%), South Africa (-46.1%), and Equatorial Guinea (-74.1%) all saw declines in exports to China.

Timber Species
In terms of specific timber species, China imported 3.36 million cubic meters of coniferous logs and sawn timber in September 2025, accounting for 72% of total imports—a slight year-on-year decline of 4.3%. The import value reached US$529 million, down 3.5% year-on-year.

Of this, coniferous logs accounted for 2 million cubic meters, representing 59.5% of total coniferous imports, down approximately 7.4% year-on-year. Import value reached $244 million, a 12.1% year-on-year decrease. The average import price per cubic meter for coniferous logs in September fell 5.15% year-on-year.

Coniferous sawn timber imports totaled 1.36 million cubic meters, showing a slight 0.7% year-on-year increase. with the import value reaching $284 million, a 5.4% increase year-on-year. The average import price of coniferous sawnwood in September increased by 4.7% year-on-year.

For other timber species:
- Eucalyptus log imports decreased by 12.2%, while the import price increased by 7%;
- Okoume log imports decreased by 20.9%, while the import price increased by 4.3%; North American hardwood logs imports decreased by 92.8%, while the import unit price increased by 49.2%; ash lumber imports increased by 3.5%, while the import unit price decreased by 2.4%; birch logs and lumber imports increased by 71.7% and 43.1%, respectively; oak logs and lumber imports decreased by 20.5% and 53%, respectively.