Timber log export value from Australia has bounced back after declining by around 66% in 2020. Source: The Border Watch
The decline was mostly attributed to Chinese suspension of imports of all timber logs from Australia in late 2020 due to trade tensions.
Log export from Portland also decreased by 25% in terms of value from the previous year.
Primary production value was 17% lower than the previous year due to a decline in value of logs harvested, which was down by 19%.
South Australian Forest Products Association Chief Executive Officer Nathan Paine said despite the blip in 2020, the forestry industry was busier than ever before.
“We are now busy supplying house frames and other products and although we had a blip alongside other industries which relied on China, we have since found other markets for the fibres that don’t have a home locally,” Mr. Paine said.
“We are now working on projects to boost domestic manufacturing facilities and make sure that every stick of fibre we grow in the region is processed in the region, which then creates jobs and community development opportunities.”
He said the bans from China in 2020 were “shocking” with “significant impact” but was confident the industry had since rebounded quickly and effectively by exploring new markets.
“We are still exporting wood chips to China but there are now new markets such as India, and we will continue to develop logs which don’t have a domestic market,” he said.
“There is a pulp log that doesn’t have a domestic processor at the moment, especially one which could take this volume, so we are happy to find new domestic markets to use that product.
“Overall, we are happy with the bounce back of the industry and although there was a blip, and there were troubling times for the industry we are doing well now as a long-term industry which continues to look for further to look for long term opportunities.”
