Imports
Log shipments into Guangdong Province rose 11 per cent to 34.67 million cubic metres between January and Nov 2017. Sawnwood imports were 8.51 million cubic metres, up 21 per cent over the same period in 2016.
MDF imports dropped 13 per cent to 72,500 cubic metres. Particleboard imports amounted to 194,700 cubic metres, a year-on-year increase of 41 per cent, accounting for 21 per cent of the national total. Plywood imports also fell 14 per cent to 65,800 cubic metres, accounting for 38 per cent of the national total.
The figures, taken from the Guangdong Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, also show that many furniture manufacturers in Guangdong are buying high quality particleboard to make furniture.
The value of Guangdong wooden furniture imports surged 95 per cent to US$166 million between January and Nov reflecting increased disposable incomes and rising living standards.
Exports
Plywood exports from Guangdong fell in the first 11 months of 2017 with the largest drop seen in exports to the US, the largest market for Guangdong-based companies.
Plywood exports from Guangdong to the US, South Korea, the UK, and Saudi Arabia fell. Yet shipments to Japan rose six per cent while trade with Hong Kong rose to 172,200 cubic metres, representing a large part of exports from Guangdong.
MDF exports rose 11 per cent to 119,600 cubic metres in the first 11 months of last year. MDF exports to traditional markets such as to the US, Canada, South Korea and Iran fell.
In the case of particleboard, exporters are tapping new markets such as Nigeria (180,000cbm), Vietnam (147,100cbm), India (49, 500cbm) and United Arab Emirates (130,000cbm).
Source: ITTO
