By Raquel Mustillo
SOUTH Australia’s peak timber processors association has questioned why log exports out of the Port of Portland have continued amid a nationwide shortage of structural timber.
But OneFortyOne plantations and the Australian Forest Products Association say local mills are already running at full capacity, with customers continuing to receive sawlog despite high demand for the product.
Demand for sawlog – which is the wood that can be processed into beams, planks or components of timber frames – has skyrocketed across the globe, with the finished product fetching prices 350pc higher than the same time last year in some international markets.
Home builders needing structural timber could be waiting months due to supply shortage abc.net.au - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from abc.net.au Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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.
Australian timber faces protracted logjam amid China s import freeze reuters.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from reuters.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Two conservation scientists have been cleared of research misconduct by the University of Tasmania after a review sparked by complaints from logging industry representatives. The Institute of Foresters of Australia and the Australian Forest Products Association wrote to the university in October and November demanding an investigation after a research paper that found logging made forests more flammable had to be retracted. One of the.