Non coniferous sawnwood market in Australia

Earlier Report Observations

The Australian non-coniferous sawnwood market opened the period at 741.9 thousand m³ in 2018, with domestic production at 712.1 thousand m³. This level was influenced by a reduction in local timber sales volume of about 7 000 m³ per month during the second half of 2017, which tightened the supply of raw material for sawmills. Concurrently, a multi-year decline in imports of coniferous sawnwood, driven by lower local prices, altered the structure of the broader sawnwood market and contributed to constrained wood availability.

Market volume then entered a sustained downward trajectory, contracting to 463.6 thousand m³ by 2023. Production followed a similar path, falling to 468.0 thousand m³. While imports fluctuated, exports experienced a notable surge to 93.7 thousand m³ in 2024, indicating a growing orientation of supply toward international markets during the latter part of the review period.

Production non coniferous sawnwood in Australia

In kind, 2018-2021, K m³

Between 2018 and 2021, Australia ranked as the 26th largest producer of non-coniferous sawnwood globally.

Top producers of non coniferous sawnwood, 2018-2021

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

In 2021, Australia produced 625.3 thousand cubic meters of non-coniferous sawnwood, showing no significant change from 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 12.2%, which translates to an annualized decline of 4.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2020 at 625.3 thousand cubic meters, with the largest year-on-year drop of 8.5% also occurring in that year.

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

Exports non coniferous sawnwood from Australia

Exports in kind, m³

The market exhibited volatility during these years. Exports of non-coniferous sawnwood from Australia reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a two-fold difference between these extremes. In 2021, cross-border shipments totaled 43 274 cubic meters, marking a significant increase of 13.8% compared to the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 48 229 cubic meters. The largest decline occurred in 2020 with a drop of 21.2%, while the largest increase was in 2019 with a surge of 95.6%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the main markets for Australia's non-coniferous sawnwood exports in volume terms were China (23.5% of exports), Malaysia (19.7%), and the United States (16.2%). Together, these three countries accounted for 59.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2021, the value of non-coniferous sawnwood exports from Australia reached 21 542 thousand US dollars, up by 3.1% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 11.4%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 4.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 20 887 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 14.1% also occurring in that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout 2018–2021, the key destinations for Australia's non-coniferous sawnwood exports in value terms were Malaysia (31.6% of exports), China (24.1%), and New Zealand (15.6%). Collectively, these three markets represented 71.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports non coniferous sawnwood to Australia

Imports in kind, m³

After a two-year contraction, Australia's imports of non-coniferous sawnwood increased in 2021. The country imported a total of 50 273 cubic meters that year, reflecting an uptick of 5.2% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 7.7%, equating to an annualized decline of 2.6%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 47 786 cubic meters, with the largest drop of 6.4% also occurring in that year.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, the largest contributors to Australia's non-coniferous sawnwood imports in volume terms were Malaysia (32.7% of imports), the United States (23.3%), and China (9.1%). Together, these three countries accounted for 65.1% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year decline, foreign supplies of non-coniferous sawnwood to Australia increased in 2021. The import value reached 58 807 thousand US dollars that year, which is 17.5% higher than in 2020. Over the 2018–2021 period, imports decreased by 4.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 50 031 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 10.8% also occurring in that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, the leading sources for Australia's non-coniferous sawnwood imports in value terms were the United States (33.7% of imports), Malaysia (23.6%), and China (10.1%). These three countries together represented 67.4% of total import flows.

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

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