OREANDA-NEWS. August 15, 2012. Chinese sawlog imports dipped 15% in the first half of 2012 due to its slowing economy, according to Wood Resource Quarterly.

The log import decline has followed reduced Chinese investment in public projects and a slowing residential property market.

Chinese softwood log imports for the period were 12.8 million m3, with the biggest declines reported from Russian, US and Australian sources. Western Canada was the only major supplier to grow its Chinese shipments.

Chinese sawlog prices have dipped with the decline in demand – Wood Resource Quarterly reports a 14% fall in the second quarter from a year ago, with New Zealand radiata pine prices falling the most.

In comparison, domestic hardwood log prices including eucalyptus, birch and poplar reached record prices in the second quarter.