OREANDA-NEWS. March 14, 2011. The total value of China’s trade in forest products soared to USD 96.3 billion in 2010, 37% higher than in 2009. The value of forest product exports surged 34% from 2009, to USD 48.8 billion in 2010, while imports climbed 40% from 2009, to USD 47.5 billion in 2010, ITTO reported.

In terms of imports, the volume and value of logs, wood chips, furniture and sawnwood have both increased. In contrast, imports of paper pulp and recycled paper decreased in volume. The volume of imports of paper pulp fell 17% from 2009, to 11.37 million tonnes in 2010 but the value of imports rose 29%, to USD 8.8 billion. The imports of wood chips rose sharply both in volume (67%) and in value (90%) compared to 2009, reaching 4.65 million tonnes worth USD 680 million in 2010.

Wooden furniture is the biggest forest product exported from China. Exports of wooden furniture in 2010 were 300 million pieces valued at USD 16.16 billion, up 21% in volume and 34% in value compared to 2009. Exports of paper, paperboard and paper products, plywood and fibreboard also increased sharply. In contrast, exports of sawnwood eased slightly to 539,000 cubic metres in volume and USD 340 million in value in 2010, down 4% and 1% from 2009 respectively.