OREANDA-NEWS. May 14, 2013. Timber imports through Zhangjiagang Port, China, in 2012 increased by 5% to 2.95 million cubic metres and accounted for around 20% of all timber imports into Jiangsu Province and 7% of China’s total timber imports, ITTO reported.

China’s total timber imports in 2012 were 58.47 million cubic metres, a year on year decline of 8%. However, Zhang Jia Gang’s timber imports increased, bucking the downward trend. 2012 imports of timber from Oceania were stable.

Timber imports from Papua New Guinea totalled 1.36 million cubic metres, a year on year increase of only 1%. On the other hand, timber imports from the Solomon Islands were 0.51 million cubic metres, a year on year decline of 8%, extending the downward trend seen in recent years.

There was a large increase in timber imported from Africa. Timber imports from Africa through Zhangjiagang Ports increased 33% to 0.8 million cubic metres, but this was far below that in 2007 when 1.78 million cubic metres were imported.

Analysts report that domestic demand is softening and manufacturers have cut back on production. Imported log prices continue to fall and there are reports of growing log stocks and analysts talk of a loss of confidence in the timber importing sector.