EXCERPT
Because of firm demand for oak flooring and furniture oak imports have been increasing and exceeded 1 million cubic metres annually in recent years. In 2021 imports of oak reached 1.351 million cubic metres, up 33% year on year.
France has been the largest supplier of oak to China since 2010 to 2021 (except in 2010 and 2013). China’s oak imports from France in 2021 were the largest ever at 425,230 cubic metres, up 43% year on year.
The top three suppliers of China’s oak imports were France, US and Russia. The proportions of the top three suppliers for China’s oak imports are around 70% of the national total from 2010 to 2021 ( 81% in 2013 and 79% in 2016).
Russia no longer a major supplier of oak to China In the first half of 2022 France was the top supplier of oak followed by the US. However, in the first half of 2022, Russia is no longer a major supplier of oak to China.
China’s oak imports from Russia were only 1,174 cubic metres valued at US$392,507, down 99% both in volume and value in the first half of 2022.
In addition, China’s oak imports from Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH, over 1,000%) and the Czech Republic rose sharply in the first half of 2022.
Major suppliers for China’s oak imports, 2022 half
| First half 2022 mil. m3 | % change yoy | |
| France | 312 | 40% |
| USA | 157 | 25% |
| Belgium | 49 | 30% |
| BiH | 38 | – |
| Germany | 36 | 20% |
| Slovakia | 25 | 66% |
| Slovenia | 25 | 1% |
| Czech Rep. | 19 | 500% |
| Mexico | 17 | 41% |
| Serbia | 16 | 39% |
Data source: China Customs
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