{"id":32416,"date":"2026-02-05T15:55:38","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T05:55:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/?p=32416"},"modified":"2026-02-05T22:33:42","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T12:33:42","slug":"chinas-softwood-imports-halve-in-a-decade-as-housing-crisis-drags-on","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/chinas-softwood-imports-halve-in-a-decade-as-housing-crisis-drags-on\/","title":{"rendered":"China\u2019s Softwood Imports Halve in a Decade as Housing Crisis Drags On"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

China is now importing less than half as much softwood lumber as it did at its pre\u2011pandemic peak, with imports declining by more than 12% to just 14.6 million cubic metres in 2025, the third consecutive year imports have fallen. That is according to new data provided by China Customs<\/a>, which reveals that New Zealand is the only major supplier to increase exports, rising 17% to 276,000 cubic metres, all the while imports from the United States and Finland fell by 39% (to 134,000 cubic metres) and 22% (to 440,000 cubic metres) respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As it stands, more than 78% of lumber imports now arrive at Chinese ports via Russia (which accounts for 70% of all imports) and Belarus, with China\u2019s increasing reliance on both countries (post\u2011Ukraine sanctions) coinciding with a drop\u2011off in imports coming from Canada and Sweden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wood Central understands that the drop\u2011off is due to a persistently weak housing market \u2013 the main driver of softwood imports, with housing starts down 64% from their 10\u2011year average, with the Economist<\/a><\/em> warning that China\u2019s property crisis could drag on into 2030. \u201cGiven the slower pace of construction, fewer properties are coming onto the market,\u201d it reported last month. \u201cIn 2022, new\u2011home sales made up just over half of all transactions. That figure tumbled to just 26% in 2024 and continued to fall in 2025 across a sample of large cities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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