More than 20% of the world’s softwood log trade originates from New Zealand. In 2013, the country exported 57% of the country’s timber harvest and the value of the trade had tripled in five years.
A majority of the log volumes were destined for China, but South Korea, India and Japan were also sourcing logs from New Zealand last year.
Russia and the US ranked second and third as global log suppliers, each shipping about 15% of the softwood logs traded in the world last year.
Not only has the volume of logs exported from New Zealand increased dramatically the past five years, with almost a doubling of exports to over 16 million m3, but the value of the logs has gone up even faster.
The average value of exported logs reached a new record high in March this year, which was double the value just four years ago.
