Scott Downs

The log market is turning in sellers favour as supply into China and India reduces, but questions remain about the medium term health of the Chinese construction market

The log market is turning in sellers favour as supply into China and India reduces, but questions remain about the medium term health of the Chinese construction market

A virtuous combination of higher sale prices in China, an easing of shipping costs and a weakening of the NZD have raised wharf prices for export logs. But it may not last

A virtuous combination of higher sale prices in China, an easing of shipping costs and a weakening of the NZD have raised wharf prices for export logs. But it may not last

Domestic demand for logs remains strong, but export markets are uncertain. China will probably rise in 2022 as normal but there are questions. India may get even more difficult

Domestic demand for logs remains strong, but export markets are uncertain. China will probably rise in 2022 as normal but there are questions. India may get even more difficult

Recent falls in export log prices offset by fast-retreating shipping costs, and face a better future as Chinese demand should rise in January. But India is oversupplied

Recent falls in export log prices offset by fast-retreating shipping costs, and face a better future as Chinese demand should rise in January. But India is oversupplied

Log prices reduced in October as shipping costs take a bigger share of returns even though Chinese demand is good, and European sawn timber markets are strong. Domestic markets are somewhat oversupplied

Log prices reduced in October as shipping costs take a bigger share of returns even though Chinese demand is good, and European sawn timber markets are strong. Domestic markets are somewhat oversupplied

Log prices flat as shipping congestion charges ease slightly, and domestic lockdown demand softens sharply, allowing harvesting and sawn timber processing to catch up

Log prices flat as shipping congestion charges ease slightly, and domestic lockdown demand softens sharply, allowing harvesting and sawn timber processing to catch up

Although prices in China are rising with demand, log sellers effectively pay the shipping costs which have jumped, and this has sharply reduced local at-wharf prices

Although prices in China are rising with demand, log sellers effectively pay the shipping costs which have jumped, and this has sharply reduced local at-wharf prices

July export log prices slipped as China's seasonal demand falloff took an added hit. But domestic demand stayed strong, and Indian demand is picking up

July export log prices slipped as China's seasonal demand falloff took an added hit. But domestic demand stayed strong, and Indian demand is picking up

The global shortage of logs and sawn timber have pushed prices to a record high. Regulatory limits are encouraging the surge when there is a worldwide shortage of wood products

The global shortage of logs and sawn timber have pushed prices to a record high. Regulatory limits are encouraging the surge when there is a worldwide shortage of wood products

Log prices jump on strong domestic demand, and rising demand from China which now takes 88% of our log exports. Rivals for this China trade fall away as US demand rises. NZ prices at new record high

Log prices jump on strong domestic demand, and rising demand from China which now takes 88% of our log exports. Rivals for this China trade fall away as US demand rises. NZ prices at new record high

An increase in domestic and export saw log prices has lifted prices above their five year averages. Domestic demand is strong. Sawn timber prices in China have continued to increase faster than log prices

An increase in domestic and export saw log prices has lifted prices above their five year averages. Domestic demand is strong. Sawn timber prices in China have continued to increase faster than log prices

Log and sawn timer prices remain high with good demand locally and from China, and with India improving. Freight is boosting the price customers need to pay

Log and sawn timer prices remain high with good demand locally and from China, and with India improving. Freight is boosting the price customers need to pay

Foresters are getting higher prices for logs from both local processors and from export sales to China, but they can't compete with distressed Aussie sales into India

Foresters are getting higher prices for logs from both local processors and from export sales to China, but they can't compete with distressed Aussie sales into India

High harvest supply sees domestic prices stable on strong demand. But China prices rise after their ban on Aussie logs, although India under pressure as they become the destination for diverted supply

High harvest supply sees domestic prices stable on strong demand. But China prices rise after their ban on Aussie logs, although India under pressure as they become the destination for diverted supply

Demand for New Zealand logs in China are very good with solid demand, reducing inventory levels, and reduced supply from other countries. But log stocks building in a quiet India with diverted log supply

Demand for New Zealand logs in China are very good with solid demand, reducing inventory levels, and reduced supply from other countries. But log stocks building in a quiet India with diverted log supply

Local demand for logs remains strong as does Chinese demand; not so for India. However, export demand for China's furniture is weak even though fibreboard production capacity is rising very fast

Local demand for logs remains strong as does Chinese demand; not so for India. However, export demand for China's furniture is weak even though fibreboard production capacity is rising very fast

Strong domestic demand and rising China demand for both logs and sawn timber has both sawmillers and log exporters optimistic. Indian demand still weak as pandemic limits capacity

Strong domestic demand and rising China demand for both logs and sawn timber has both sawmillers and log exporters optimistic. Indian demand still weak as pandemic limits capacity

Increases in China log prices cancelled out by higher shipping costs. Export demand for sawn timber remains firm. Domestic demand good but expected to slow

Increases in China log prices cancelled out by higher shipping costs. Export demand for sawn timber remains firm. Domestic demand good but expected to slow

While domestic log demand remains steady, export demand is weakening as global supply rises while China's demand is little-changed despite the widespread flooding in the south

While domestic log demand remains steady, export demand is weakening as global supply rises while China's demand is little-changed despite the widespread flooding in the south

Global log supply rising faster than demand. Sawn timber exports tough except for clear wood grades. Domestic market orders rising ahead of a large decline expected in Q4-2020

Global log supply rising faster than demand. Sawn timber exports tough except for clear wood grades. Domestic market orders rising ahead of a large decline expected in Q4-2020

China log demand picks up on restart but not to last-year levels. Recent price bounce over quickly. All eyes on China's domestic recovery. Neither India, nor domestic demand show much prospect

China log demand picks up on restart but not to last-year levels. Recent price bounce over quickly. All eyes on China's domestic recovery. Neither India, nor domestic demand show much prospect

China log prices rise as New Zealand and others shut down and they restart, indicating bullish prospects if the trade can get going again

China log prices rise as New Zealand and others shut down and they restart, indicating bullish prospects if the trade can get going again

Scott Downs reports on a very difficult start to 2020 for the forestry industry. China inventories are blowing out, India can't handle more supply, and EU spruce exports are adding extra pressures

Scott Downs reports on a very difficult start to 2020 for the forestry industry. China inventories are blowing out, India can't handle more supply, and EU spruce exports are adding extra pressures

Eighty percent of New Zealand's log exports are to China, but challenges from Europe and their salvage spruce logs is significant. The India trade remains difficult. Sawn timber markets struggle on

Eighty percent of New Zealand's log exports are to China, but challenges from Europe and their salvage spruce logs is significant. The India trade remains difficult. Sawn timber markets struggle on

Export demand for logs in November rose along with prices, but prices are still below their 2-year average. And export demand for sawn timber remains weak. Domestic demand remains stable

Export demand for logs in November rose along with prices, but prices are still below their 2-year average. And export demand for sawn timber remains weak. Domestic demand remains stable