China: Log output nearly doubles in 10 years

Source:
ITTO
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Up until 1998 the main focus of government policy was timber production in support of national economic development but 1998 saw catastrophic flooding blamed in part on deforestation so a new direction appeared in forest policy.

The experience over the past ten years has led analysts in China to conclude that „ecological‟ forestry and the forest industry are mutually reinforcing. The rapid development of the forest products industry has not undermined the development of sound environmental policies for forestry in China.

The result of China's six continuous forest inventories, expansion of forest plantations and improved management have had a positive impact and at the same time the forest products industry has grown. For example, the rise in demand for wood - based panels has stimulated investment in poplar and eucalyptus plantations.

China's log output from 2003 to 2013 (million cu.m)

Year Output mil. cu.m. % Change
2003 47.59  
2004 51.97 9%
2005 55.6 7%
2006 66.12 19%
2007 69.77 5%
2008 81.08 16%
2009 70.68 -13%
2010 80.9 14%
2011 81.46 0.7%
2012 81.75 0.4%
2013 84.38 3%

 

Stimulated by the rapid development of forest products industry China's log output has been increasing over the past ten years, except for a decline of 13% in 2009, having expanded from 52 million cubic metres in 1983 to 84.3 million in 2013.

Inventory period Forest area (mil. ha) Forest stocking volume Bil. cu.m. Forest cover (%)
(1984-1988) 125 9 13
(1989-1993) 134 10 14
(1994-1998) 159 11 16
(1999-2003) 175 12 18
2004-2008) 195 14 20
2009-2013) 208 15 22

 

Since the 3rd national inventory the forest area has increased to 208 million hectares, forest stock has grown to 6 billion cubic metres and forest cover has risen to 22%.

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