China: Log imports through Manzhouli Port fall 32%
10/07/2008 - 10:15
Log imports through Manzhouli Port fell 32% during January to May 2008, mainly as a result of the rise in Russia’s export tariff on logs. Russia hiked its log export tariffs from 6.5% to 20% in July 2007 for the first time and to 25% on 1 April 2008. The major log species imported into Manzhouli Port are Korean pine and Scots pine, which together account for 80% of log imports through the port. Larch log imports make up the remaining 20%. Import enterprises in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region were the primary source of logs with log imports from Russia during January to May amounting to 3.63 million m³, making up 96% of log imports through Manzhouli Port. The rest (4%) were imported by enterprises in Heilongjiang and Shandong Provinces.
Value of sawnwood imports jump 58% through Suifenhe Port
During January to May 2008, sawnwood imports through Suifenhe Port rose dramatically and reached valued at USD693.47 million, a year-on-year increase of 59% and 58% respectively. The rise was seen mainly because Russia cancelled export tariffs on sawnwood. As of 14 June 2007, the Russian government declared zero export tariffs on birch and poplar sawnwood with a thickness more than 6 millimeters. The Russian government also declared zero export tariff on softwood sawnwood.
