Non coniferous roundwood market in Australia and New Zealand

Earlier Report Observations

The non-coniferous roundwood market in Australia and New Zealand saw its volume contract from 19.1 million m³ in 2018 to 14.9 million m³ in 2023. Early in the period, New Zealand's rise to become the leading global exporter of industrial roundwood redirected timber flows abroad, tightening domestic supply. The COVID-19 pandemic then caused a steep drop in 2020, reducing demand from construction and pulp industries.

Market value followed a similar downward path, falling from 3.1 billion USD to 1.7 billion USD over the same years. This steeper decline in value was partly due to global export price increases of 14-22% in 2021-2022, which altered trade incentives. Throughout the period, sustainable forestry practices remained a key industry focus, shaping production methods without reversing the overall market contraction.

After 2021, both volume and value stabilized, with no major regulatory shifts or new entrants reported. The Asia-Pacific region's broader growth in roundwood consumption provided some external support, but local market conditions remained subdued.

Production non coniferous roundwood in Australia and New Zealand

In kind, 2018-2021, K m³

Top producers of non coniferous roundwood, 2018-2021

World map of production of non coniferous roundwood, 2018-2021

Australia and New Zealand's non-coniferous roundwood production has declined for the third year in a row. In 2021, production reached 14 505 K m³, marking a modest decrease of 9.7% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 27%, with an average annual decline of 10.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, K m³

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, Australia and New Zealand's non-coniferous roundwood production saw an increase in value. In 2021, the output was valued at 1 888 M $ US, representing a slight advance of 0.7% year-over-year. Over the 2018-2021 period, however, production value decreased by 41.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -16.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 1 874 M $ US, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 24.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports non coniferous roundwood from Australia and New Zealand

Exports in kind, K m³

Non-coniferous roundwood exports from Australia and New Zealand have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports totalled 400.3 K m³, showing a significant decrease of 47.8% compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, exports fell by 48.6%, with an average annual decline of 19.9%. The peak was in 2019 at 948.4 K m³, which also saw the largest increase of 21.8% that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, K m³

Between 2018 and 2021, China and Malaysia were the dominant buyers of non-coniferous roundwood from Australia and New Zealand, together accounting for 81.0% of total exports in volume. Other partners played a less significant role in the export structure.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

Non-coniferous roundwood exports from Australia and New Zealand have declined for the third year in a row. In 2021, exports were valued at 52.1 M $ US, indicating a dramatic fall of 41.8% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value decreased by 58.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -25.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, the leading destinations for non-coniferous roundwood exports from Australia and New Zealand in value terms were China, with 54.3% of exports, Malaysia at 23.6%, and India at 8.9%. Together, these three countries accounted for 86.8% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021

Imports non coniferous roundwood to Australia and New Zealand

Imports in kind, K m³

Non-coniferous roundwood imports into Australia and New Zealand have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports totalled 7.5 K m³, which is 14.1% lower than the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 19.2%, with an average annual decline of 6.9%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 9.5 K m³, which also saw the largest increase of 2.1% that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, K m³

Between 2018 and 2021, the largest suppliers of non-coniferous roundwood to Australia and New Zealand included Mauritius with 31.6% of imports in volume, Solomon Islands at 8.6%, and Malaysia at 3.1%. However, even combined, they represented just 43.3% of total imports, indicating a broadly diversified partner base.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decrease, non-coniferous roundwood imports into Australia and New Zealand increased in value. In 2021, imports stood at 2.7 M $ US, showing a strong uptick of 13.4% from 2020. However, over the 2018-2021 period, import value decreased by 36.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -13.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 2.4 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 33.8% that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

During 2018-2021, imports of non-coniferous roundwood to Australia and New Zealand in value terms were spread across a large number of markets. Mauritius accounted for 39.4% of imports, Malaysia for 4.2%, and the United States for 4.0%. Together, these three countries represented only 47.7% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021