Roundwood coniferous market in Australia

Earlier Report Observations

The Australian coniferous roundwood market opened the period at 14.1 million m³ in 2018, a year marked by notable global growth in production and consumption which supported worldwide demand. However, domestic market volume contracted to 13.4 million m³ in 2019.

A significant expansion followed, with the market reaching 15.6 million m³ in 2021. This surge was largely due to a sharp decline in exports, which fell from 3.5 million m³ in 2018 to 1.2 million m³ in 2021, increasing domestic availability even as production softened.

The market subsequently retreated to 14.5 million m³ in 2022 and 13.4 million m³ in 2023, as production continued to trend downward and exports partially recovered. In value terms, the market showed similar volatility, falling to $1,222 million in 2022 before a modest recovery to $1,272 million in 2023.

Production coniferous roundwood in Australia

In kind, 2018-2021, K m³

From 2018 to 2021, Australia ranked 18th globally in the production volume of roundwood coniferous.

Top producers of coniferous roundwood, 2018-2021

World map of production of coniferous roundwood, 2018-2021

In 2021, Australia produced 16 789 K m³ of roundwood coniferous, showing a modest 4.7% decline compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production decreased by 4.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.6%. The highest production level was recorded in 2020 at 17 615 K m³, which also saw the largest annual increase of 2.5%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Roundwood coniferous production in Australia declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the output was valued at 1 494 M $ US, representing a 6.8% decrease from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, production fell by 21.6%, equating to an annualized decline of 7.8%.

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

Exports coniferous roundwood from Australia

Exports in kind, K m³

Cross-border shipments of roundwood coniferous from Australia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports amounted to 1 223 K m³, reflecting a 65.3% decrease compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports dropped by 65.1%, with an annualized decline of 29.6%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 3 757 K m³, which also saw the largest annual increase of 7.2%.

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

During 2018–2021, China dominated Australia's roundwood coniferous exports in volume, accounting for 88.1% of total flows, while the remaining share was distributed among various smaller destinations.

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, M $ US

Roundwood coniferous exports from Australia declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports amounted to 108.9 M $ US, marking a 66.0% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports fell by 71.3%, with a compound annual decline of 34.1%.

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

Throughout 2018–2021, China accounted for 89.1% of Australia's roundwood coniferous exports in value terms, with the remaining volume shared among many countries, each holding smaller individual shares.

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

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

Imports coniferous roundwood to Australia

Imports in kind, K m³

Import volumes showed significant volatility during this period. The lowest imports were recorded in 2020 at 0.0 K m³, while the highest was in 2021 at 4 K m³, reflecting a 959-fold increase. In 2021, foreign roundwood coniferous supplies to Australia totaled 4 K m³, equivalent to a sharp rise of 95,825.0% from 2020. The largest decline occurred in 2020, dropping by 99.6%.

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

The market base for imports in volume during 2018–2021 was diverse, with South Africa (3.8% of imports), Sweden (3.7%), and Russia (1.6%) together accounting for just 9.0% of total flows. The remaining 91.0% was shared among numerous other countries.

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, M $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. The minimum import value was recorded in 2020 at 0.0 M $ US, while the maximum was in 2021 at 0.9 M $ US, showing a 94-fold variation. In 2021, Australia imported approximately 0.9 M $ US of roundwood coniferous, amounting to a gain of 9,341.2% versus the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2020, falling by 96.5%.

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

Over 2018–2021, the country breakdown of imports in value terms was scattered: Sweden (8.2% of imports), South Africa (5.4%), and Russia (5.1%) together accounted for just 18.6% of total flows, with no single partner emerging as clearly dominant.

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

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