Australian timber faces protracted logjam amid China’s import freeze
Australia is bracing for a drawn-out disruption to its A$1.6 billion ($1.23 billion) annual timber trade with China after requests to Beijing’s customs officials to resume the log exports were ignored, two sources told Reuters.
The four-million-tonne log timber trade with China has been largely suspended since late last year after Beijing said it had found pests in shipments coming from several Australian ports. Woodchips, however, continue to be exported to China.
Australian timber is one of several commodities and products, including coal, barley, seafood and wine, subject to either trade bans or other restrictions by Beijing amid souring relations between the trade partners.