CHINA – According to China Customs and as reported by ITTO, in the first quarter of 2020 China’s plywood exports were 1.85 million cubic meters valued at USD 787.6 million, a drop of 85% and 82% respectively over the same period in 2019.

The main markets for plywood exports in the first quarter were the Philippines (131,000 m3), UK (129,000 m3), Japan (125,000 m3), UAE (111,000 m3), Vietnam (105,000 m3) and Saudi Arabia (104,000) all of which were significantly down year-on-year.

First quarter 2020 plywood imports were 35,068 cubic meters valued at USD 26.85 million, a decline of around 80% in both volume and value.

Over 70% of China’s plywood imports are from five countries, Russia (16,002 m3), Indonesia (4,886 m3), Malaysia (3,368 m3), Vietnam (1,547 m3) and Japan (1,290 m3).