In July, the price for imported wood chips in Japan increased 4.2% compared to the previous month at $202 per tonne, according to Lesprom Analytics. This is 11.6% more than a year ago when it was $181.
Japan decreased imports of wood chips by 2% year-on-year to 898 thousand tonnes in July. Vietnam’s share amounted to 43% of Japan’s total wood chips imports. Vietnam is Japan’s biggest wood chips supplier with second-ranked Australia at 16% of total imports, while the U.S. takes 12% and South Africa 10%.
Exports of wood chips from Vietnam to Japan increased by 6% year-on-year to 389 thousand tonnes. Exports from Australia increased by 3% to 140 thousand tonnes, supplies from the U.S. doubled to 103 thousand tonnes.
