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Martin Vorel in domestic real estate sector and manufacturing demand
as well as the restructuring of the international supply chain.
In the future, the optimisation and diversified supply chain
for China's log import structure will become key to balancing

costs and supply.

Decline in log imports from New Zealand
New Zealand still remained the largest supplier of log imports
to China in the first quarter of 2025.
China’s log imports from New Zealand fell two percent
to 4.20 million cubic metres valued at US$514 million, down
Hardwood log imports fell 14 percent to 2.28 million cubic seven percent over the same period of 2024.
metres and accounted for 28 percent of the national total. The The average CIF price for China’s log imports from New

average price for imported hardwood logs rose six percent to Zealand fell five percent to US$129 per cubic metre. Log
US$271 (CIF) per cubic metre over the same period of 2024. imports from New Zealand accounted for 52 percent of the
Of total hardwood log imports, tropical log imports were total log import volume.
1.22 million cubic metres valued at US$302 million CIF, down The rapid development of both the Belt and Road Initiative
19 percent in volume and 23 percent in value from the same and the China-Europe Freight Railway has promoted an increase
period of 2024, accounting for 15 percent of the national total in the number of supplying logs to China thereby reducing
import volume. which has impacted imports from New Zealand.

The average price for imported tropical logs was US$247 As China has ended log imports from the US the species
CIF per cubic metre, down four percent from the same period imported from New Zealand has been adjusted.
of 2024. The import of Radiata pine has been reduced and that of
The main reasons for the decrease in China’s log imports Douglas fir has been increased. The volume of Radiata pine
in the first quarter of 2025 were mainly because domestic imports from New Zealand fell three percent to 3.98 million
demand for wood products continued to weaken due to the cubic metres and of Douglas fir imports rose 11 percent in
sluggish real estate sector. the first quarter of 2025.
Another reason is that China has implemented a "bamboo
instead of wood" policy favouring the use of alternative materials EU

and thus reducing the demand for logs imports currently. European Commission lightens EUDR administrative
The aim of this policy is the enhancement of environmental burden on businesses
awareness and the development of sustainable architecture. The European Commission (EC) has announced that it is
China’s log imports have also been impacted by China- simplifying due diligence requirements for EU Deforestation
US taxation frictions. Beginning in April 2025 China ended Regulation (EUDR) compliance to cut the administrative load
log imports from the US resulting in a significant reduction and cost for businesses.
in overall log imports. At the same time, it says it is stepping up dialogue on the

The fluctuations in the log import market in the first EUDR and its requirement for deforestation-free commodity
quarter of 2025 reflect the dual challenges of the slowdown supply chains with third countries under its Strategic Framework