On September 5th, 2024 China Global Wood Trade Conference was successfully held in Rizhao. The event attracted over a thousand representatives from enterprises, governments, international organizations, and research institutes across 17 countries, including New Zealand, Australia, the United States, Canada, Russia, Belarus, Germany, Sweden, Finland, and Japan.

At the meeting, Zou Shi Nian, Deputy Director of the New Dynamic (Shuangchuang) Research Office of the Economic Forecasting Department of the National Information Center, delivered a speech on “China's Macroeconomic Status and Prospects”, analyzing the current economic fundamentals, macro policies, problems and prospects, pointing out that the current Chinese economy is still facing external risk challenges, greater pressure on the stabilization of the real estate market, prices continue to run at a low level, and fiscal balance of payment contradictions are prominent in the four aspects of the problem. At the same time, there are more positive factors in economic operation, it is expected that the second half of the industrial production, service industry to continue to pick up the trend of improvement, the momentum of investment continues to strengthen, the potential for further release of consumption, exports are also expected to continue to maintain growth, the price level is expected to rise moderately.

Zou Shinian, Deputy Director, Research Office of New Growth Drivers, Economic Forecasting Department, State Information Center

Partner at Forest Economic Advisors Paul Jannke delivered a keynote report titled “Global Log and Lumber Market”, stating that lumber prices have plummeted. In 2024, global demand will continue to be weak, with the U.S. and China driving demand upwards, while Russia’s supply will not recover quickly. Restricted raw material supply will hinder the increase in lumber production. China remains the largest market for imported softwood logs, and New Zealand continues to be the main supplier of logs to China.

Paul Jannke, Partner, Forest Economic Advisors

Zhang Ruiqun, Deputy General Manager of Zhejiang Materials Product Senhua Group Co., Ltd., shared the “Latest Changes in Imported Softwood Logs and Lumber Market of China”. At present, China's dependence on timber imports has declined, and the proportion of imported coniferous timber has decreased. In the future, the number of imported coniferous timber may continue to decrease, the structure of imported timber use upgrading, the potential of mainland demand is greater than the coastal areas, the incremental export market of timber products to Southeast Asia and the “BRIC countries transfer”. She expressed her hope that colleagues in the wood industry would face up to the difficulties, seek opportunities in the midst of crisis, and jointly seek the healthy development of the wood industry.

Zhang Ruiqun, Deputy General Manager, Zhejiang Materials Product Senhua Group Co., Ltd.

Shauchenka Aliaksandr, Commercial Counselor of the Belarusian Embassy in China, gave a speech on “Belarus’s Production and Trade Concern of Timber, Woodworking and Pulp and Paper Industries”. He pointed out that the advanced technology in Belarus helps to upgrade the wood processing capacity. Factories are able to process more than 80 kinds of products, supply products to more than 80 countries and regions worldwide, with a gross export value of $1 billion.

Shauchenka Aliaksandr, Commercial Counselor, Belarusian Embassy in China

Shen Wei, Deputy President of the China Timber and Wood Products Distribution Association, reported on “Analysis of Domestic Timber Supply Status and Future Trend”. She emphasized that China has a large potential for timber supply currently, and the output of domestic wood is expected to increase. However, the domestic wood has lower quality, and most wood species have not been used on a large scale and efficiently. She pointed out that it will take another 5-10 years to improve the quality of forest management in China.

Shen Wei, Deputy President, China Timber and Wood Products Distribution Association

Christie Webber, First Secretary of the New Zealand Embassy in China, gave a speech on “New Zealand Pine: Opportunities for Construction Timber”. New Zealand has abundant sustainable forest resources and is a reliable supplier of timber. She expressed that New Zealand attaches great importance to the forest product trade partnership with China, looking forward to continued cooperation in the fields of wood processing and construction, and contributing to the development of both countries.

Christie Webber, First Secretary, New Zealand Embassy in China

Andrew Voronko, Market Analyst at JSC Kraslesinvest, reported on “Russian Softwood Production and Export Overview”. Softwood accounts for 91% among the Russian wood output. China is the main market for Russian wood exports, with large companies’ export share to China reaching 80%. He pointed out that the current situation of the Russian timber market is not optimistic, and the production and export volume may continue to decline in 2025. In addition, he particularly recommended Siberian larch, which has unique advantages and a wide range of applications.

Andrew Voronko, Market Analyst, JSC Kraslesinvest

During the conference, a special forum was also held. Feng Xiaojun, Deputy General Manager of Qingdao Kaito Supply Chain Management Co., Ltd., served as the moderator. Chen Lihuang, President of the Rizhao Putian Chamber, Pan Jinmu, General Manager of Rizhao Guolu Trade Co., Ltd., Yi Quanyi, Manager of the No.3 Trade Department of China Forestry Industry Co., Ltd., Liu Shuang, Deputy General Manager of Songlin Forestry Co., Ltd., Dai Yucong, General Manager of Shanghai Jumu Gongli Digital Technology Co., Ltd., and Zhou Zhongting, Senior Researcher at CITIC Futures Research Institute, served as forum guests. They conducted in-depth discussions on the topic of “Development Trends of China’s Imported Timber Market”. The forum guests expressed their opinions actively and received high recognition.

The successful convening of this conference will enable industry representatives to understand the situation and future trends of the global and national timber markets, strengthen international exchanges and cooperation, and promote the sustainable and healthy development of the wood industry.

Meanwhile, 2024 China (Rizhao) Wood Structure and Lodging Industry Exhibition was successfully held. Nearly a hundred well-known domestic companies such as Beixin International Wood Industry Co., Ltd., Treezo Group Co., Ltd., Shandong Dingchi Wood Industry Group, Liaoning Hongshan Wood Industry Co., Ltd., and Penglai Zhengtai Wood Industry Co., Ltd. participating in the exhibition. The exhibition focused on the upstream and downstream industrial chain of wood structure and lodging industry, integrating trade negotiations with display and sales, which attracted much attention and was highly praised.

During the conference, three special activities were held concurrently, including 2024 China International Wood Construction Industry Seminar, China Log Futures Industry Customers Forum and the 2024 Green Timber Industry Supply Chain Seminar. Participants engaged with great enthusiasm and derived significant insights from the event.

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