Overview

This issue of the Australian forest and wood products statistics (AFWPS) includes updated 2015-16 data for key domestic indicators of forestry sector activity, including Australia's commercial plantation estate, volume and value of logs harvested, and output and consumption of wood products. This issue also provides updated quarterly data for housing commencements and wood products trade data for the September and December quarters of 2016.

Key Issues
• Business conditions strengthened for Australia's forestry sector in 2015-16, with strong growth in log harvest and wood product output. In 2015-16 logs harvested exceeded 30 million cubic metres for the first time, representing a 10 per cent increase from the 2014-15 log harvest. The gross value of log production also reached a record high, exceeding $2.3 billion for the first time (milldoor prices), an increase of 12 per cent from 2014-15. • The increased log harvest, and strong growth in total residential construction activity in 2015-16 coincided with increased production and consumption of plywood, particleboard and medium density fibreboard. Australia's production of sawnwood is estimated to have remained steady in 2015-16 at around 5.1 million cubic metres. In 2015-16, estimated production of hardwood sawnwood increased for the first time since 2012-13, rising by 7.6 per cent to 675,000 cubic metres. This was due to an increase in native forest sawlogs harvested in 2015-16, which more than offset the decline in plantation hardwood sawlogs harvested. In contrast, estimated production of softwood sawnwood fell slightly by 0.6 per cent to 4.4 million cubic metres in 2015-16 from the record levels reported in 2014-15. • Based on the first six months of 2016-17, the strong export performance of Australia's wood product industries has continued into the current financial year. Exports increased by 7.8 per cent to $1.6 billion, from $1.5 billion in the corresponding quarters of 2015-16. The largest contributors to this improved export performance were roundwood and woodchips. • In contrast to exports, imports decreased by 6.4 per cent to $2.7 billion in the first two quarters of 2016-17, compared with the corresponding quarters of 2015-16. Declines were experienced in most import categories, in particular paper and paperboard which fell 8.4 per cent to $1.1 billion. These declines were partially offset by an increase in imports of wood-based panels, which rose by 15 per cent to $272 million.

Overview This issue of the Australian forest and wood products statistics (AFWPS) includes updated 2015-16 data for key domestic indicators of forestry sector activity, including sales and service …Show full descriptionOverview This issue of the Australian forest and wood products statistics (AFWPS) includes updated 2015-16 data for key domestic indicators of forestry sector activity, including sales and service income and industry valued added. It also includes interim estimates of the volume and value of logs harvested in 2016-17, along with updated 2016-17 trade statistics for wood products and data for housing and other residential commencements. Key Issues • Forestry industry value added, or contribution to GDP, increased for the third year in a row, growing by 9 per cent to $8.6 billion in 2015-16. Sales and service income for the forestry sector also grew strongly to $23.7 billion in 2015-16 (up 7 per cent from the previous year). • ABARES estimates that Australia's forestry sector continued to grow strongly in 2016-17, with the total volume and value of logs harvested reaching record levels. Estimated total volume log harvest from native forests and commercial plantations increased by 9 per cent to 32.8 million cubic metres and estimated total value increased by 12 per cent to $2.5 billion. • After four consecutive years of growth in residential construction activity in Australia, dwelling commencements fell by 6 per cent to 219,300 in 2016-17. The decrease in commencements of other residential buildings (including units and house conversions) was greater than the decrease in house commencements. • Australia's trade in wood products has been growing since 2012-13 and reached a record level of $8.6 billion in 2016-17. The value of exports reached a record level of $3.4 billion (up 9 per cent from the previous year), while the value of imports fell to $5.3 billion (down 4 per cent from a record level in the previous year). • China was our largest trading partner in 2016-17 for wood products, accounting for over a quarter of Australia's total wood product imports, nearly half of total wood product exports and the majority of total wood products export growth over the year.

Overview

This issue of the Australian forest and wood products statistics (AFWPS) includes 2016-17 data for key domestic indicators of forestry sector activity, including Australia's commercial plantation estate, volume and value of logs harvested, wood products production and trade. This issue also presents updated quarterly data for dwelling unit commencements for the September and December quarters of 2017.

Key Issues

Business conditions strengthened for Australia's forestry sector in 2016-17, with the fourth consecutive year of strong growth in log harvest volumes supported by higher wood processing industry output.

The total volume of logs harvested from commercial plantations and native production forests reached record levels in 2016-17, exceeding 33 million cubic metres, a 10 per cent increase from the 2015-16 log harvest and 45 per cent higher since 2012-13. The gross value of logs harvested also reached a record level, up 13 per cent from the previous year to $2.6 billion (mill door prices).

Australia's production of sawnwood has been growing since 2011-12 and reached 5.2 million cubic metres in 2016-17, up 3 per cent from the previous year.

The strong export performance of Australia's wood products industries in recent years continued in 2016-17, with the total value of wood product exports increasing to $3.5 billion (up 11 per cent from the previous year).

Following three years of consecutive growth, the total value of wood product imports decreased in 2016-17 to $5.3 billion (down 4 per cent from the previous year).

Dwelling commencements decreased to 220,900 dwellings in 2016-17, down 5 per cent from the previous year, which was primarily driven by a 10 per cent decrease in the number of new residential buildings other than houses, such as units and apartments.

Overview This issue of the Australian forest and wood products statistics (AFWPS) includes 2016-17 data for key domestic indicators of forestry sector activity, including Australia's commercial …Show full descriptionOverview This issue of the Australian forest and wood products statistics (AFWPS) includes 2016-17 data for key domestic indicators of forestry sector activity, including Australia's commercial plantation estate, volume and value of logs harvested, wood products production and trade. This issue also presents updated quarterly data for dwelling unit commencements for the September and December quarters of 2017. Key Issues Business conditions strengthened for Australia's forestry sector in 2016-17, with the fourth consecutive year of strong growth in log harvest volumes supported by higher wood processing industry output. The total volume of logs harvested from commercial plantations and native production forests reached record levels in 2016-17, exceeding 33 million cubic metres, a 10 per cent increase from the 2015-16 log harvest and 45 per cent higher since 2012-13. The gross value of logs harvested also reached a record level, up 13 per cent from the previous year to $2.6 billion (mill door prices). Australia's production of sawnwood has been growing since 2011-12 and reached 5.2 million cubic metres in 2016-17, up 3 per cent from the previous year. The strong export performance of Australia's wood products industries in recent years continued in 2016-17, with the total value of wood product exports increasing to $3.5 billion (up 11 per cent from the previous year). Following three years of consecutive growth, the total value of wood product imports decreased in 2016-17 to $5.3 billion (down 4 per cent from the previous year). Dwelling commencements decreased to 220,900 dwellings in 2016-17, down 5 per cent from the previous year, which was primarily driven by a 10 per cent decrease in the number of new residential buildings other than houses, such as units and apartments.