China's demand for imported wood fiber, in the form of logs,
woodchips or other forest products, increased by an average annual rate of
nearly 16% from 1997-2012. According to a study published today by RISI, the
leading information provider for the global forest products industry, this
demand was split relatively evenly between logs and lumber for construction,
woodchips and pulp for the paper industry. 2013 China Timber Outlook examines the prospects for this rapid growth to be
sustained.
"Future
growth in China's imports of timber and forest products will definitely be at a
slower rate. But, since China's import demand is already equal to 10% of the
world's total timber harvest, even a relatively slower growth rate will still
mean a substantial increase in demand," said Bob Flynn, Director of
International Timber for RISI, and main author of the study.
