Non coniferous sawnwood market in Japan

Earlier Report Observations

The market for non-coniferous sawnwood in Japan consistently contracted from 2018 to 2023, with volume falling from 1 006.6 thousand m³ to 727.1 thousand m³. The initial decline in 2018 coincided with reduced material arrivals at precut plants and a growing share of domestic timber, which stood at around 37.1%. This period also saw increased use of engineered wood products like CLT and glued laminated timber, alongside efforts to streamline log distribution through more direct deliveries to mills.

The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly affected the market from 2020 onward. Global wood market disruptions led to sharp price increases for imported timber, boosting demand for domestic alternatives and further raising product prices. These supply uncertainties continued into 2021, keeping import volumes low and reinforcing reliance on local wood. By 2022, additional pressures emerged, including the Ukraine conflict, soaring crude oil prices, and a weak yen, all of which drove timber prices higher. Concurrently, government policies actively promoted the use of domestic softwoods, with precut processing rates reaching 94% and plywood raw material shifting toward Japanese cedar, larch, and cypress.

Despite these shifts toward domestic sourcing, overall market volume continued to decline through 2023. Imports, which had peaked at 191 thousand m³ in 2018, fell to 138 thousand m³ by 2023, while exports remained minimal. Production also dropped steadily, from 819 thousand m³ in 2018 to 597 thousand m³ in 2023, reflecting the broader contraction in consumption.

Production non coniferous sawnwood in Japan

In kind, 2018-2021, K m³

Globally, Japan ranked as the 24th largest producer of non-coniferous sawnwood between 2018 and 2021.

Top producers of non coniferous sawnwood, 2018-2021

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

Japan's production of non-coniferous sawnwood fell for the third year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 634.0 K m³, marking a 6.9% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production dropped by 22.6%, with an average annual decline of 8.2%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Japan's non-coniferous sawnwood production value also declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, output was valued at 802 M $ US, showing a sharp reduction of 18.6% year-over-year. From 2018 to 2021, production value decreased by 26.4%, with an average annual decline of 9.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Japan in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports non coniferous sawnwood from Japan

Exports in kind, K m³

In 2021, Japan's exports of non-coniferous sawnwood totaled 3.6 K m³, a 17.0% increase from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports grew by 6.3%, averaging 2.1% per year. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 3.1 K m³, while the highest was in 2019 at 4.4 K m³. The largest decline occurred in 2020, falling by 29.3%, and the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 28.5%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, China, Indonesia, and Thailand were the top buyers of Japan's non-coniferous sawnwood exports by volume. China accounted for 58.4% of exports, Indonesia for 12.2%, and Thailand for 8.9%, with their combined share reaching 79.5% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2021, Japan's non-coniferous sawnwood export value reached 4.6 M $ US, up 2.3% from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 4.5 M $ US, and the highest in 2019 at 5.8 M $ US. The largest decline was in 2020, dropping by 22.6%, while the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 27.7%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, China, Indonesia, and Thailand consistently led in Japan's non-coniferous sawnwood export value. China made up 56.3% of exports, Indonesia 11.5%, and Thailand 10.6%, together accounting for 78.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports non coniferous sawnwood to Japan

Imports in kind, K m³

After a two-year decline, Japan's imports of non-coniferous sawnwood increased in 2021, reaching 142.8 K m³, which was nearly unchanged from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports fell by 25.3%, with an average annual decrease of 9.3%. The lowest import volume was in 2020 at 142.1 K m³, and the largest decline occurred that same year, dropping by 25.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Malaysia, the United States, and Indonesia were the key partners for Japan's non-coniferous sawnwood imports by volume. Malaysia accounted for 27.1% of imports, the United States for 25.8%, and Indonesia for 11.6%, with their combined share representing 64.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, Japan's non-coniferous sawnwood import value rose in 2021, reaching 162.7 M $ US, an 8.2% increase from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, import value decreased by 19%, averaging a 6.8% annual decline. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 150.3 M $ US, and the largest decline occurred that year, falling by 24.9%.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, the United States, Malaysia, and China played leading roles in Japan's non-coniferous sawnwood import value. The United States accounted for 35.7% of imports, Malaysia for 20.3%, and China for 10.4%, with their combined share making up 66.3% of total import flows.

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

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