Roundwood coniferous market in New Caledonia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, coniferous roundwood production in New Caledonia remained steady at 9,750 m³ per year. Market volume fluctuated between 10,144 m³ and 10,435 m³, driven primarily by changes in imports. A major reforestation program with Pinus caribaea plantings covering around 7,000 hectares, along with a project by SAEM SudForêt to plant 1,500 hectares over five years, supported the local timber supply chain from 2018 onward. In 2019, continued efforts to structure the local wood industry and support professionals in sourcing more expensive Caledonian wood contributed to a notable drop in imports to 394 m³, reducing the total market volume. By 2020, these Pinus caribaea plantings were reaching maturity, enhancing the potential for local timber supply.

Between 2021 and 2023, production held at 9,750 m³ annually. Import volumes varied, leading to corresponding shifts in market size. Imports fell to 464 m³ in 2021, then jumped to 842 m³ in 2022—the highest level in the period—pushing the market volume to 10,592 m³. In 2023, imports retreated to 493 m³, and the market settled at 10,243 m³.

For 2024, import data shows a sharp reduction to 151 m³ in the available period. Globally, softwood timber prices remained relatively stable despite geopolitical and logistical tensions, which may have influenced import decisions and local demand in New Caledonia.

Production coniferous roundwood in New Caledonia

In kind, 2017-2020, m³

Top producers of coniferous roundwood, 2017-2020

World map of production of coniferous roundwood, 2017-2020

In 2020, New Caledonia produced 9,750 m³ of roundwood coniferous, showing no significant change from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a 0.0% decrease, while the largest increase was also recorded in 2018 at 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in New Caledonia in kind, 2017-2020, m³

Exports coniferous roundwood from New Caledonia

According to market analysis, there were no exports of roundwood coniferous from New Caledonia between 2017 and 2020.

Imports coniferous roundwood to New Caledonia

Imports in kind, m³

In 2020, New Caledonia imported 547.0 m³ of roundwood coniferous, marking a sharp increase of 38.8% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 3.8%, averaging an annualized rate of 1.2%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 394.0 m³, while the highest was in 2018 at 685.0 m³. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 42.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to New Caledonia in kind, 2017-2020, m³

Between 2017 and 2020, New Zealand was the leading source for imports in kind, accounting for 77.7% of total flows, with other countries making up the remainder.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to New Caledonia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, cross-border shipments of roundwood coniferous to New Caledonia were valued at 261.3 thousand US dollars, rising by 45.2% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 24.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 179.9 thousand US dollars, and the highest in 2018 at 298.4 thousand US dollars. The largest decline was in 2019, with a decrease of 39.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to New Caledonia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, New Zealand was the primary supplier of roundwood coniferous to New Caledonia in value terms, holding 86.2% of total imports, while other partners contributed smaller shares.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to New Caledonia in value, 2017-2020