Wood in the rough market in Australia and New Zealand

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, production of wood in the rough in Australia and New Zealand declined from 47 563 thousand tonnes to 39 871 thousand tonnes. The domestic market volume showed considerable fluctuation, falling to a low of 16 249 thousand tonnes in 2020 before recovering strongly to over 26 000 thousand tonnes in 2022, then moderating to 24 045 thousand tonnes in 2023.

A sharp contraction in exports was the primary driver behind the market volume recovery from 2020. Outbound shipments fell from a peak of 27 861 thousand tonnes in 2019 to 15 684 thousand tonnes by 2022, making significantly more wood available for domestic consumption and offsetting the ongoing decline in production.

By 2023, export volumes had stabilized near 15 800 thousand tonnes. Shifts in global demand, particularly for specific products like eucalyptus wood, influenced trade flows with key partners such as Portugal, China, and Spain, contributing to the ongoing adjustment in the overall market balance.

Production wood in the rough in Australia and New Zealand

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of wood in the rough, 2018-2021

World map of production of wood in the rough, 2018-2021

After two years of decline, wood in the rough production in Australia and New Zealand increased in 2021. That year, production reached 43 200 K t, marking a slight uptick of 1.4% compared to 2020. However, looking at the broader period from 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 9.2%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 3.2%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2020 at 42 600 K t, with the largest year-over-year decline of 9.7% also occurring in that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports wood in the rough from Australia and New Zealand

Exports in kind, K t

Wood in the rough exports from Australia and New Zealand declined for the second consecutive year in 2021. Exports amounted to 19 899 K t, representing a significant year-over-year decrease of 24.5%. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports fell by 22.8%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 8.3%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 27 861 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 8.1% during this timeframe.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, the export structure for wood in the rough was heavily centered on China, which accounted for 83.6% of total export flows. Other markets played a less significant role, forming a smaller perimeter in the overall export landscape.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year decrease, the value of wood in the rough exports from Australia and New Zealand increased in 2021. Export value reached 2 969 M $ US, reflecting a steep uptick of 27.4% compared to the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 2 330 M $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 14.4% during this period.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, China played a leading role in the value of wood in the rough exports from Australia and New Zealand, accounting for 82.4% of total export flows. The remainder was distributed across various other partners, indicating a less concentrated structure beyond China.

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

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

Imports wood in the rough to Australia and New Zealand

Imports in kind, K t

The data reveals irregular changes in wood in the rough imports for Australia and New Zealand, indicating a volatile market environment. The highest import volume was recorded in 2021, while the lowest occurred in 2018, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 3.8 times. In 2021, imports totaled 10 K t, reflecting a sharp year-over-year increase of 163.1%. The largest decline was recorded in 2020 at 57.6%, and the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 242.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, the structure of wood in the rough imports in kind was diversified across multiple partners. Mauritius accounted for 14.3% of imports, the United States for 4.3%, and South Africa for 2.3%, jointly representing only 20.8% of total import flows. The remaining 79.2% was dispersed among numerous smaller markets, highlighting a broad and varied import base.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2021, the value of wood in the rough imports into Australia and New Zealand stood at 4 M $ US, which is 47.2% higher than the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 14.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -5.1%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 3 M $ US, while the maximum value occurred in 2019 at 5 M $ US. The largest decline was recorded in 2020 at 44.0%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, the partner structure for wood in the rough imports in value terms was balanced rather than concentrated. Mauritius accounted for 32.6% of import value, the United States for 3.8%, and Malaysia for 3.5%, jointly representing 40.0% of total import flows. Many other countries accounted for the remaining 60.0%, indicating a diverse and distributed import market.

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

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