Forest Products Industry

The forestry sector is ripe for a tech revolution. Here are five technologies to watch out for in the near future. Source: Timberbiz First, keeping an eye on hundreds of thousands of trees is a herculean task, traditionally carried out on foot in all weathers. Imagery, whether it be taken by a drone or satellite, is a more efficient way to see the landscape. Using satellite images can help keep track of the forest’s condition and check the health of trees. Drones can fly among the trees and gather similar information, like tree density and health status. This way, areas needing attention can be quickly identified and necessary actions taken. However, it’s challenging to detect smaller trees, which can be overlooked in the images. Secondly, connect with your senses with a sensor for the air, monitoring temperature, humidity and quality. A sensor for the soil, monitoring moisture content. A sensor for the tree, monitoring growth. Combine all of these through an Internet-of-Things network, and an expansive, real-time and accurate picture of the forest can be created. While this can be used to optimise conditions, it can provide early warnings of wildfire or disease ensuring damage is minimised. Third, the advent of AI. Images and sensors provide vast quantities of potentially useful data. Without analysis, that data remains useless but analysing it is a complex and time-consuming process. The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) can expedite the process while also providing far higher quality insights. By rapidly identifying patterns and anomalies in vast quantities of data, AI promises to enhance forest management. Fourth, controlled environment technologies involve controlling the environment to optimise growth. This is most obviously known in the form of vertical farming where light, temperature, nutrients and water levels are controlled to optimise the growth of crops, all on a smaller footprint of land due to the stacking of growing surfaces. The same can be applied to trees, by growing seedlings through vertical farming, ensuring optimal conditions, before being planted out-doors. This has the added benefit of growing saplings faster and in a bio-secure environment, reducing the risk of disease. Last is the rise of robotics. Forestry has been a human-centred activity for a long time but robotics and automation have made their way into the sector to increase productivity. Robotic harvesters are already available commercially, operating tasks such as pruning, harvesting, inventorying and planting. Teaming robotics with automation, as has been done in certain agricultural sectors, could further optimise the time and quality of these operations. Many of these technologies are already being explored within the forestry sector. For example, in Devon and Cornwall, drones have been used not for imaging, but to plant 75,000 seeds as a means of tripling rainforest cover in the area. As these technologies are adopted more widely, they will continue to be improved, and the value proposition will become more evident. Although early adopters may face initial challenges, they are also more likely to gain the greatest rewards rather than being left to play catchup.  

The Wood Pellet Association of Canada (WPAC) is making strides in international market engagement with the launch of a multi-lingual website and a targeted Japanese market awareness campaign. Source: Timberbiz Recognizing the importance of export markets, particularly in Asia, where Japan is Canada’s largest customer, WPAC’s website is now available in Japanese, Traditional Chinese, and Korean. This initiative ensures that key international stakeholders can easily access information about the sustainability, quality and reliability of Canadian wood pellets. Japan is the fastest-growing wood pellet import market in the world, driven by its aggressive push to phase out coal and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The country’s long-term feed-in tariff (FIT) for bio-mass energy supports this transition, creating significant opportunities for Canada’s pellet sector. Canadian wood pellets are a key part of Japan’s clean energy future, offering a low-carbon, renewable alternative to fossil fuels. To further engage with Japanese customers, policymakers and energy influencers, WPAC has launched a communications campaign in Japan. This effort includes: A series of media articles highlighting the sustainability of Canadian wood pellets, third-party forest certification, and the role of biomass in reducing emissions. Search engine advertising to enhance visibility among key industry decision-makers. A feature article in Smart Japan, a leading energy-sector publication.

On Tuesday China suspended the soybean import licences of three US firms and halted imports of US logs, stepping up its retaliation for additional tariffs on Chinese goods. Source: Reuters China also imposed import levies covering US$21 billion worth of US agricultural and food products including soybeans, wheat, meat and cotton. The three US companies affected by the licence suspensions are farmer-owned cooperative CHS Inc (CHSCP.O), opens new tab, global grains exporter Louis Dreyfus Company Grains Merchandising LLC and export grain terminal operator EGT, China’s customs department said in a statement. Customs said it detected ergot and seed coating agent in imported US soybeans, while the suspension of US log imports was due to the detection of worms, aspergillus and other pests. Beijing is retaliating against US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose an extra 10% duty on China, effective Tuesday, resulting in a cumulative 20% tariff in response to what the White House considers Chinese inaction over drug flows. The suspension of US logs was a direct response to Trump’s move on 1 March to order a trade investigation on imported lumber. Trump had earlier told reporters that he was thinking about imposing a 25% tariff rate on lumber and forest products. “The announcement of import restrictions on US lumber and soybeans linked with phytosanitary issues follows a long history of similar measures by Beijing,” said Even Pay, agriculture analyst at Trivium China. The bulk import volumes and natural origin of soybeans and lumber make them susceptible to issues with plant health and pests, creating a convenient target for trade retaliation, Mr Pay said. China is one of the world’s largest importers of wood products and the third-largest destination for US forest products. It imported around US$850 million worth of logs and other rough wood products from the US in 2024, according to Chinese customs data.