Australian forest and wood products statistics: September and December quarters 2016

Overview \r\n\r\n 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. \r\n\r\n Key Issues \r\n• 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. \r\n• 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. \r\n• 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. \r\n• 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. \r\n概述 本期《澳大利亚林业与木材产品统计》（Australian Forest and Wood Products Statistics, AFWPS）更新了2015-2016财年林业部门核心国内活动指标数据，涵盖澳大利亚商业人工林面积、原木采伐量与产值，以及木材产品的产量与消费量。本期还更新了2016年第三、第四季度的住宅开工量季度数据及木材产品贸易数据。 核心议题 • 2015-2016财年澳大利亚林业部门经营状况显著改善，原木采伐量与木材产品产量均实现强劲增长。该财年原木采伐量首次突破3000万立方米，较2014-2015财年增长10%；原木生产总产值亦创下历史新高，首次突破23亿澳元（按原木出厂价计算），较2014-2015财年增长12%。 • 原木采伐量增加，叠加2015-2016财年住宅建筑总活动的强劲增长，推动胶合板、刨花板及中密度纤维板的生产与消费量同步提升。据估算，2015-2016财年澳大利亚锯材产量稳定在510万立方米左右。其中，硬木锯材产量自2012-2013财年以来首次实现增长，同比提升7.6%至67.5万立方米，这主要得益于2015-2016财年天然林采伐锯材量的增加，该增量完全抵消了人工林硬木锯材采伐量的下滑。与之形成对比的是，软木锯材产量较2014-2015财年的历史峰值小幅下滑0.6%，至440万立方米。 • 结合2016-2017财年前六个月的数据来看，澳大利亚木材产品行业强劲的出口表现在本财年得以延续。2016-2017财年前两季度出口额较2015-2016财年同期的15亿澳元增长7.8%，至16亿澳元。出口表现改善的主要贡献来源为原木与木片。 • 与出口情况相反，2016-2017财年前两季度进口额较2015-2016财年同期下滑6.4%，至27亿澳元。多数进口品类均出现下滑，其中纸及纸板进口额降幅达8.4%，至11亿澳元。不过木质板材进口额增长15%至2.72亿澳元，部分抵消了上述下滑幅度。