The latest customs data shows that in July 2026, China’s cumulative imports of logs and sawn timber totaled 4.705 million cubic meters, marking a slight year-over-year increase of 1.1% but a 7.5% month-over-month decline from June; the import value reached $1.05 billion, up 8.6% year-over-year. Overall, the trend was characterized by “a slight increase in total volume and a rise in average prices.”

Market Trends: Log Imports Decline Month-Over-Month, While Lumber Imports Continue to Expand

Among these, logs accounted for 56.3% of total imports. Imports of logs increased by 6.2% year-over-year to 2.651 million cubic meters, but decreased by 15.8% compared to June; the import value rose by 17.9% year-over-year to $45,600, with the average price up 11% year-over-year.

Sawn timber imports totaled 2.054 million cubic meters, down 4.8% year-over-year but up 6% from June, marking the second consecutive month of month-over-month growth. The import value rose 2.4% year-over-year to $595 million, a slight increase of 2.4%, while the average price rose 7.5% year-over-year.

Supply Landscape: Steady Growth in New Zealand and the United States

In July 2026, China’s top ten timber suppliers collectively accounted for approximately 95% of total imports, reflecting an extremely high level of concentration. The main changes are as follows:

New Zealand: Imports totaled 1.643 million cubic meters, up 10.3% year-over-year, with the value increasing by 26.1%. With growth in both volume and value, New Zealand firmly held the top spot.

Russia: Imports totaled 1.033 million cubic meters, down 7.6% year-over-year, while the value increased by 5.7%.

United States: Import volume surged from 94,000 cubic meters to 139,000 cubic meters, a year-over-year increase of 48.4%, while the value rose by 28.6%, ranking among the highest growth rates. With the current temporary easing of U.S.-China trade tensions, domestic demand for high-end hardwoods—particularly logs—has rebounded.

Germany and France: Germany’s import volume plummeted by 38.9%, and the value decreased by 31.5%, primarily due to the removal of insect-infested timber in Europe, as well as reduced production and tighter export controls; France remained largely unchanged (+0.3%), but the average price rose significantly.

Thailand and Japan: Import volumes declined slightly by 4% and 2.2%, respectively.



By Wood Species: Coniferous Wood Prices Rise Slightly by 2%; Import Trends Diverge for Logs and Lumber

In July, coniferous wood accounted for approximately 70.4% of China’s total timber imports. The combined volume of log and lumber imports totaled 3.31 million cubic meters, a 2% increase year-over-year; the import value reached approximately $557 million, up 13.5% year-over-year, with the increase in value far outpacing the increase in volume.

Specifically, imports of coniferous logs totaled 2.09 million cubic meters, up 7.1% year-over-year, with the average price rising 13.5% year-over-year; imports of sawn lumber fell 5.6% year-over-year, while the average price rose 12.9% year-over-year.

Exports of Wood and Wood Products in July

In July, China’s exports of timber and timber products showed a downward trend, falling 1.3% year-over-year to 1.44 million metric tons; cumulative exports from January through July rose 10.8% year-over-year.

By product category, exports of plywood and similar multilayer panels fell 14.9% year-on-year in July; cumulative exports from January through July rose 9% year-on-year. Exports of wood products for household and decorative use increased 1.9% year-on-year in July; cumulative exports from January through July rose slightly by 0.6%. Exports of furniture and furniture parts rose 5.7% year-on-year in July, while cumulative exports from January through July remained flat compared with the same period last year.

Overall, from January through July 2026, China’s total timber imports amounted to 31.239 million cubic meters, a 6.7% year-over-year decrease; the value of imports remained largely unchanged from the same period last year, at approximately $4.626 billion. Of this total, roundwood imports amounted to 18.527 million cubic meters, down 3.9% year-over-year, while sawn timber imports totaled 12.711 million cubic meters, down 10.4% year-over-year.