Global Shipments of Wood Chips Fell 14% in 2009; China Bucked the Trend, Tripling Its Imports to Become the Worlds Second Largest Chip Importer, Reports WRQ
Summary
The trade reduction in 2009 was equal for both softwood and hardwood chips, and most countries cut back fiber imports.The most dramatic reductions in export volumes last year occurred in Australia (-22%), the US (-25%, a majority bound for Canada) and South Africa (-45%), according to the WRQ.In addition, many energy companies in Europe are searching for new sources of biomass, which will further expand the overseas trade of wood chips.Wood chip trade had increased on average five percent per year annually between 2002 and 2008, reaching an all-time high of 31 million oven-dry metric tons (odmt) in 2008.The report, established in 1988 and with readers in over 25 countries, tracks sawlog, pulpwood, lumber and pellet prices in key regions around the world and also includes regular updates of the latest developments in international timber, pulp, lumber and biomass markets.Contact InformationWood Resources International LLCHakan Ekstrominfo@wri-ltd.comwww.woodprices.com###