Analysis of the Current Situation and Characteristics of Import and Export Trade of China’s Plywood Products
April 19, 2023 Source: Chinese wood-based panels
China is one of the major countries in the world that trade plywood products. Since the 20th century, China has been a major importer of plywood products. After China’s accession to the WTO in the early 21st century, the export of plywood products from China has entered a rapid growth period. Export trade plays an important role in promoting the high-quality development of plywood products and driving domestic economic growth. China has become a major exporter of international plywood products. However, in recent years, the plywood industry has faced multiple challenges such as changing market demand, constraints on wood resource supply, and rising operating costs. In addition, the impact of trade barriers has been prominent, and the growth rate of international trade in China’s plywood products has slowed down and presented new characteristics.
Characteristics of Import and Export Trade of China’s Plywood Products
Chinese plywood products include ordinary plywood (hardwood plywood, coniferous plywood), blockboard, bamboo plywood, laminated veneer lumber, solid wood composite flooring and bamboo flooring. It is worth mentioning that in 2022, China’s customs tariff code * * lists laminated veneer lumber, which was previously mixed in ordinary plywood products, while solid wood composite flooring and bamboo flooring were mixed in ordinary plywood, blockboard and bamboo plywood, and there is no separate tariff code for their products.
The annual import volume of plywood products in China fluctuates greatly, but overall, the annual import volume is relatively small [3-5]. During the analysis period (2006-2022), there were two stages of characteristics, as shown in Figure 1. Prior to 2009, the import volume of plywood products in China decreased year by year, especially in 2008 when the import volume dropped below 300000 m3. From 2009 to 2022, the import volume of plywood products remained basically at 140000 to 220000 m3, showing an M-shaped fluctuation. During the analysis period, the trend of the import amount and quantity of plywood products was basically consistent, with some years showing slight differences. As shown in Figure 2, the import amount of China’s plywood products remained basically between 100 million and 200 million US dollars, and only in 2009 and 2013, the import amount was less than 100 million US dollars.
In 2022, the import volume of plywood products in China was 200000 m3, an increase of 25.00% compared to the previous year; The import amount was 189 million US dollars, an increase of 23.53% year-on-year. Based on comprehensive analysis, in 2022, China’s plywood products showed a trend of simultaneous increase in import volume and import amount.
