Oct 02, 2006. /Lesprom Network/. Japan’s total woodchip import volume declined 1.6% to 7 million tonnes in the first half of 2006, compared with the same period in 2005, according to Robert Flynn, director, International Timber RISI. Hardwood chips were unchanged at 5.7 million tonnes (82% of imports) while softwood chips fell 8.4% to 1.3 million tonnes. Average landed prices for woodchips in Japan were 3.2% higher for hardwood chips and 2% up for softwood chips. Japan’s main hardwood chip suppliers were Australia (up 3.5% to 1.9 million tonnes of hardwood chips), South Africa (down 13.4% to 1.4 million tonnes) and Chile (up 11% to under 1 million tonnes, mainly eucalyptus chips). Uruguay was emerging as an important supplier of woodchips. Woodchip supply from Southeast Asia came mainly from Vietnam (up 12% to 340 000 tonnes, notably acacia and eucalyptus woodchips) and Thailand (sharply down 130% to less than 100 000 tonnes). Imports from Malaysia, Indonesia and PNG were relatively low. However, Indonesia was expected to become a major supplier of woodchips to China as major Chinese woodchip importers (APP and APRIL) own surplus plantations of acacia in Indonesia. APRIL was beginning shipments from its Dumai chip plant in Sumatra to its pulp mill in Rizhao, China in 2006.