Forests minister launches boost for timber industry at Victoria convention
In a bid to spur timber harvesting on the coast, the provincial government announced it will look at new technology for scaling logs, fast-track the auction of an additional 500,000 cubic metre of timber and make improvements to the log-export system.
Housing starts in the US jumped to 894,000 units in October. This was 19 percent higher than in August, and as much as 42 percent more than in October of last year.
China log imports - WOOD MARKETS has just released the third edition of The China Book
A new Five-Year Outlook shows no slowdown in wood products imports but China’s housing and economy will need additional government stimulus to get construction moving later in 2013.
New Zealand chalked up its third monthly trade deficit in October, repeating last year’s pattern, as shipments of dairy products fell and imports rose.
New Zealand log exports have remained consistent this year, now recording a 7th consecutive month above 1million m³ in August. Year to date figures show a 3% increase in exports compared to the year to August 2011 on the back of a strong month in June.
WOOD MARKETS successfully wrapped up its seventh international tour of Russia’s forest industry on 16 September 2012. Some key issues identified during the tour included:
New Zealand log exports have remained consistent this year, now recording a 7th consecutive month above 1million m³ in August. Year to date figures show a 3% increase in exports compared to the year to August 2011 on the back of a strong month in June.
University of Canterbury researchers have made a breakthrough in treating export logs by heating them using high voltage electricity. Export logs are usually fumigated to rid the timber of pests, such as insects and fungi which could pose a biosecurity threat.
