Australian forest and wood products statistics: September and December quarters 2016

Overview

This issue of the Australian forest and wood products statistics (AFWPS) includes updated 2015-16 data for key domestic indicators of forestry sector activity, including Australia's commercial plantation estate, volume and value of logs harvested, and output and consumption of wood products. This issue also provides updated quarterly data for housing commencements and wood products trade data for the September and December quarters of 2016.

Key Issues
• Business conditions strengthened for Australia's forestry sector in 2015-16, with strong growth in log harvest and wood product output. In 2015-16 logs harvested exceeded 30 million cubic metres for the first time, representing a 10 per cent increase from the 2014-15 log harvest. The gross value of log production also reached a record high, exceeding $2.3 billion for the first time (milldoor prices), an increase of 12 per cent from 2014-15. • The increased log harvest, and strong growth in total residential construction activity in 2015-16 coincided with increased production and consumption of plywood, particleboard and medium density fibreboard. Australia's production of sawnwood is estimated to have remained steady in 2015-16 at around 5.1 million cubic metres. In 2015-16, estimated production of hardwood sawnwood increased for the first time since 2012-13, rising by 7.6 per cent to 675,000 cubic metres. This was due to an increase in native forest sawlogs harvested in 2015-16, which more than offset the decline in plantation hardwood sawlogs harvested. In contrast, estimated production of softwood sawnwood fell slightly by 0.6 per cent to 4.4 million cubic metres in 2015-16 from the record levels reported in 2014-15. • Based on the first six months of 2016-17, the strong export performance of Australia's wood product industries has continued into the current financial year. Exports increased by 7.8 per cent to $1.6 billion, from $1.5 billion in the corresponding quarters of 2015-16. The largest contributors to this improved export performance were roundwood and woodchips. • In contrast to exports, imports decreased by 6.4 per cent to $2.7 billion in the first two quarters of 2016-17, compared with the corresponding quarters of 2015-16. Declines were experienced in most import categories, in particular paper and paperboard which fell 8.4 per cent to $1.1 billion. These declines were partially offset by an increase in imports of wood-based panels, which rose by 15 per cent to $272 million.