Value of China, U.S. Wood Trade Declines 16 Percent in March

The value of the wood products trade between the U.S. and China decreased 16 percent in March to $1.9 billion, according to the International Tropical Timber Organization.

China’s imports of timber fell 5 percent during March to $840 million, and exports to the U.S. dropped 23 percent to $1.05 billion.

During the first quarter of 2018, the overall value of the timber trade between the U.S. and China increased 9 percent to $6.26 billion, with China’s imports growing 6 percent to $2.28 billion and exports growing 10 percent to $3.98 billion.

China’s log imports from the U.S. grew 7 percent during the quarter compared with the same quarter in 2017 to a total of 1.41 million cubic meters, while sawn wood imports rose 5 percent to 709,600 cubic meters.

China’s exports of fiberboard to the U.S. fell 11 percent during the first quarter, and plywood exports dropped 31 percent.

“As exports to the U.S. decline there has been a rise in exports of panel products to Nigeria, Kenya and the U.K.,” ITTO reported.