According to China Customs, China’s log imports in 2025 totalled 31.39 million cubic metres, with a total value of US$4.814 billion. This represented a year-on-year decline of 13% in volume and 22% in value compared with 2024. The average price of imported logs stood at US$153 per cubic metre (CIF), down 10% from 2024 levels.

Of total log imports in 2025, softwood log imports fell 8% to 23.92 million cubic metres, accounting for 76% of national log imports, up four percentage points from 2024. The average price of imported softwood logs was US$122 per cubic metre (CIF), down 6% year on year.

Hardwood log imports declined more sharply, falling 25% to 7.47 million cubic metres, representing 24% of total log imports. The average price of imported hardwood logs in 2025 was US$254 per cubic metre (CIF), down 8% from 2024.

Within hardwoods, tropical log imports amounted to 5.06 million cubic metres, with a total value of US$1.103 billion. This marked a 27% decline in volume and a 30% decline in value compared with 2024. Tropical logs accounted for 16% of total national log import volume in 2025. The average price of tropical log imports was US$218 per cubic metre (CIF), down 15% year on year.

Radiata pine remained the largest imported log species by volume in 2025. China’s radiata pine log imports increased 2% to 17.45 million cubic metres, accounting for 56% of total log imports.

More than 90% of China’s imported logs in 2025 consisted of radiata pine, spruce and fir, Douglas fir, oak, birch, Mongolian Scots pine and Korean pine. Import volumes of spruce and fir, Douglas fir, oak, birch, Mongolian Scots pine, Scots pine and Korean pine declined by 44%, 16%, 37%, 17%, 16%, 4% and 50% respectively year on year.

The significant decline in China’s log imports in 2025 was influenced by severe disruptions to the global log supply chain. International trade uncertainty increased sharply due to geopolitical conflicts, repeated tariff adjustments, weak domestic demand in China, policy changes and supply chain restructuring in several log-exporting countries.

At the same time, domestic demand for logs continued to contract. China’s real estate sector remained in a deep downturn, resulting in a sharp decline in wood product consumption. Long-term low spot prices for logs compressed profit margins in the timber industry and reduced the willingness of timber traders to replenish inventories.