Roundwood coniferous market in Polynesia

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018 and 2019, the Polynesian coniferous roundwood market witnessed initial steps to structure the local forestry sector. The adoption of regulatory order No. 718 CM in April 2018 established standards for Caribbean pine, creating the first regulatory framework to facilitate the commercialization of local softwood timber. Simultaneously, the implementation of a forest inventory system and fixed purchase prices aimed to organize the forestry supply chain. The following year, the entry of new players became evident as SEBM secured funding to enhance its sawmill capacity on Hiva Oa, and the creation of the first privately registered sawmill, SARL BOIS LOCAL POLYNESIE, marked the emergence of private actors in local construction wood production.

Market volume, calculated as the sum of domestic production and imports, grew from 71 519 m³ in 2020 to 72 449 m³ in 2021, driven by rising imports which reached 66 449 m³. Domestic production remained steady at 6 000 m³ annually during these years.

From 2022 onward, imports of coniferous roundwood fell sharply from 66 449 m³ in 2021 to 22 089 m³ in 2022 and further to 20 463 m³ in 2023, pulling the total market volume down to 28 089 m³ and 26 463 m³ respectively. This period coincided with active policy development for the local timber industry, including the renewal of the Climate-Energy Plan aiming to cover 30% to 50% of Polynesia's sawn wood needs with domestic timber, and SEBM's repeated success in tenders to expand sawmill capacity. In 2024, imports dropped to 2 427 m³, while the government confirmed the classification of local pine wood and strengthened funding for the wood valuation program, linking it to public subsidy access.

Production coniferous roundwood in Polynesia

In kind, 2017-2020, m³

Top producers of coniferous roundwood, 2017-2020

World map of production of coniferous roundwood, 2017-2020

In Polynesia, roundwood coniferous production remained stable at 6,000 m³ in 2020, showing no significant change compared to 2019. The most notable fluctuations occurred in 2018, with both the largest decline and increase recorded at 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Polynesia in kind, 2017-2020, m³

Exports coniferous roundwood from Polynesia

Market analysis indicates that Polynesia did not export any roundwood coniferous from 2017 to 2020.

Imports coniferous roundwood to Polynesia

Imports in kind, m³

The import market for roundwood coniferous in Polynesia showed significant volatility from 2017 to 2020. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 444-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports fell sharply to 65,519 m³, a 37.3% decrease year-over-year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 104,452 m³, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 35,575.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, New Zealand was the primary supplier of roundwood coniferous to Polynesia, accounting for 86.7% of total imports by volume. The remaining imports came from a diverse group of other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of roundwood coniferous imports in Polynesia experienced notable fluctuations during this period. Imports were at their lowest in 2017 and highest in 2019, with a 48-fold difference. In 2020, imports totaled 2,219 thousand US dollars, down 14.4% from the previous year. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 2,592 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 1,526.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, New Zealand dominated Polynesia's roundwood coniferous imports in value terms, representing 86.8% of the total. The rest of the imports were distributed among numerous smaller trading partners.

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

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