US Dollar Exchange Rates of
10th
Aug
2022
China Yuan 6.7447
Report from China
Dramatic decline in China¡¯s softwood log imports
China¡¯s log imports in the first half of 2022 totalled 22.38
million cubic metres valued at US$4.567 billion, down
29% in volume and 13% in value, However, the average
price for imported logs was US$204 (CIF) per cubic
metre, up 22% from the same period of 2021.
Of total log imports, softwood log imports plummeted
39% to 15.16 million cubic metres, accounting for 68% of
the national total. However, the average price for imported
softwood logs rose 17% to US$166 (CIF) per cubic metre
over the same period.
 
The main reason for the decline in log import
volumes was
the drop in imports from the major suppliers; New
Zealand, Germany, Russia and US fell 19%, 51%, 58%
and 31% respectively due to the economic slowdown in
China, lower harvest levels in some countries and surging
sea freight rates.
No log imports from Australia
There were almost no log imports from Australia in the
first half of 2022. Australia has completely disappeared
from the list of major suppliers of logs to China.
China¡¯s log imports from Australia have been declining
and came to zero finally because of a ban on imports as
the quarantine service in China once again detected pests
in a log shipment. Since the beginning of 2020 the
quarantine service has repeatedly detected live pests such
as the long horn beetle, Cerambycidae and jewel beetles,
Buprestidae in logs imported from Australia.
Main softwood log sources in the first half of 2022
Imports of softwood logs from almost all of China's major
suppliers fell in the first half of 2022. However, China¡¯s
softwood log imports from Latvia alone surged to 219,000
cubic metres in the first half of 2022.
France the largest supplier of China¡¯s oak
imports
Because of firm demand for oak flooring and furniture oak
imports have been increasing and exceeded 1 million
cubic metres annually in recent years. In 2021 imports of
oak reached 1.351 million cubic metres, up 33% year on
year.
France has been the largest supplier of oak to China since
2010 to 2021 (except in 2010 and 2013). China¡¯s oak
imports from France in 2021 were the largest ever at
425,230 cubic metres, up 43% year on year.
The top three suppliers of China¡¯s oak imports were
France, US and Russia. The proportions of the top three
suppliers for China¡¯s oak imports are around 70% of the
national total from 2010 to 2021 ( 81% in 2013 and 79%
in 2016).
Russia no longer a major supplier of oak to
China
In the first half of 2022 France was the top supplier of oak
followed by the US. However, in the first half of 2022,
Russia is no longer a major supplier of oak to China.
China¡¯s oak imports from Russia were only 1,174 cubic
metres valued at US$392,507, down 99% both in volume
and value in the first half of 2022.
In addition, China¡¯s oak imports from Bosnia and
Herzegovina (BIH, over 1,000%) and the Czech Republic
rose sharply in the first half of 2022.
Rise in China¡¯s hardwood log imports in the
first half
of 2022
China¡¯s hardwood log imports in the first half of 2022 rose
6% to 7.22 million cubic metres (32% of the national total
log imports). The average price for imported hardwood
logs in the first half of 2022 was US$285 (CIF) per cubic
metre, up 11% from the same period of 2021.
Of total hardwood log imports, tropical log imports were
4.10 million cubic metres valued at US$1.167 billion CIF,
up 9% in volume and 7% in value from the same period of
2021 and account for about 18% of the national total log
import volume.
The average price for imported tropical logs was US$284
CIF per cubic metre, up 7% from the same period of 2021.
Before its log export ban Myanmar was a major source of
tropical logs to China. However, China¡¯s log imports from
Myanmar have been decreasing for many years. China¡¯s
log imports from Myanmar fell 43% to 3,637 cubic metres
and 46% in value to US$4.4 million in the first half of
2022.
The average price for imported logs from Myanmar
declined 5% to US$1,203 (CIF) per cubic metre in the first
half of 2022.
Surge in tropical log imports from Equatorial Guinea
and DRC
China imports tropical logs mainly from Papua New
Guinea (33%), Solomon Islands (19%), Brazil (12%),
Equatorial Guinea (5.8%), the Republic of Congo (5.7%),
Cameroon (5.5%), Mozambique (4%) and the Democratic
Republic of Congo (3%). Just 8 countries supplied nearly
90% of China¡¯s tropical log requirements in the first half
of 2022.
China¡¯s tropical log imports from the first largest
suppliers, PNG, grew 29% to 1.335 million cubic metres.
PNG was the main driver of tropical log import growth in
the first half of 2022. China¡¯s tropical log imports from
Equatorial Guinea and DRC surged 170% and 72%
respectively. However, China¡¯s tropical log imports from
Solomon Islands and Mozambique declined 20% and 24%
respectively.
First half 2022 CIF prices for most of China¡¯s
tropical log
imports rose. However, CIF prices for tropical log imports
from Equatorial Guinea and DRC declined.
Draft Forest Law for public comment
China¡¯s Forest and Grassland Administration issued the
following statement:
Regulations on the Implementation of the Forest Law of
the People's Republic of China (Revised Draft)" (Draft for
Comments) Open for Comments
Summary information:
In order to implement the decisions and arrangements of
the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on
strengthening the construction of an ecological civilization
system, and to improve the legal system of forest resource
management with the Forest Law as the core, the State
Forestry and Grassland Administration has studied and
drafted the Regulations on the Implementation of the
Forest Law of the People's Republic of China.
In order to enhance the openness and transparency of
legislation and improve the quality of legislation, the draft
for comments and its explanation are now published to
solicit opinions from all walks of life.
The public can make comments in the following ways and
means:
Email: lincaolifa@163.com
Mailing address: Office of Regulations, State Forestry and
Grassland Administration, No. 18, Hepingli East Street,
Dongcheng District, Beijing (Postal Code: 100714)
The deadline for feedback is August 19, 2022.
Annexes:
1. Regulations on the Implementation of the Forest
Law of the People's Republic of China (Revised
Draft)" (Draft for Comments)
See:http://124.205.185.62:8080/html/main/main_4461/20220720101955002156596/file/20220720102014581715676.pdf
2. Explanation on the "Regulations on the
Implementation of the Forest Law of the People's
Republic of China (Revised Draft)" (Draft for
Comments)
See:
http://124.205.185.62:8080/html/main/main_4461/20220720101955002156596/file/20220720102032364855701.pdf
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