NZ log market stable in November despite global uncertainty

National and international wood fibre prices have remained largely unchanged over the past month. Despite recent reports of weaker economic performance in China, daily consumption of Radiata pine logs has remained steady. China’s demand is now concentrated in the furniture and mouldings sectors, compared with the high volatility of the past five years when construction dominated and government incentives fueled apartment building. During that period, harvesting contractors and transport operators in New Zealand frequently faced either over- or under-resourcing. Export log prices netted back to New Zealand remain slightly below preferred levels but are stable and ...