China’s domestic timber production rose 2% to 83.67 million cubic metres in 2013. Timber imports (logs and sawnwood) rose 18% to 79.16 million cubic metres log equivalent and the value of China’s timber imports grew 26% to $16.1 billion in 2013, ITTO reported.

In terms of volume the proportion of domestic to imported timber in 2013 was 51:49 which is roughly similar to that in 2012.

Domestic timber is mainly used for fibreboard, mine timber and private purposes in rural areas while imported timber is mainly used for construction, home interior decoration and improvements and furniture production.

Softwoods dominate China’s timber imports and have increased rapidly in recent years. China’s softwood timber imports were 57.18 million cubic metres in 2013 and have been growing at almost 20% per year since 2008.