As a major global producer and consumer of timber and wood products, China's supply and demand dynamics have a decisive impact on the world timber market landscape. This article aims to analyze the future direction of China's timber supply from the perspectives of world and Chinese forest and timber resources, and is provided for reference only.

01 Current Status of World Forests and Timber Resources

1. Global forest area and growing stock have both increased

According to FAO statistics, the current global forest area is 4.14 billion hectares, accounting for approximately 32% of the world's total land area. Compared with 2020, forest area and forest cover have increased by 1.9% and 1%, respectively . In 2025, global forest growing stock reached 630 billion cubic meters, with an average growing stock of 152 cubic meters per hectare, representing increases of 13.1% and 10.9%, respectively, compared to 2020. The substantial development of both global forest area and growing stock indicates a significant improvement in forest quality over the past five years .

Furthermore, the rate of deforestation is slowing year by year. Since 1990, the world has lost 489 million hectares of forest due to deforestation. Between 2015 and 2025, the annual deforestation area was 10.9 million hectares, a decrease from the 13.6 million hectares per year recorded between 2000 and 2015 (compared to 17.6 million hectares per year between 1990 and 2000) . Meanwhile, some regions have experienced forest area expansion. Asia's forest area continued to increase between 1990 and 2025, although the growth rate has slowed in the most recent decade. Europe's forest area has also consistently increased over the past 35 years, while North and Central America and Oceania have seen relatively minor changes. Forest areas in Africa and South America have decreased significantly since 1990, but the rate of forest loss in both regions has slowed between 2015 and 2025 .

2. Forests are mainly distributed in regions with relatively developed wood processing industries, such as Europe, North America, and Asia

Global forest distribution is uneven. In terms of forest types, tropical forests account for 45% of the total, followed by boreal forests at 28%, temperate forests at 17%, and subtropical forests at 11%. Tropical forests occupy the largest area and are mainly distributed in economically developing countries such as those in South America and Africa, which are typically smaller in size and numerous. Boreal and temperate forests are distributed in Europe, North and Central America, and the Asia-Pacific region. These regions have more developed economies, larger land areas, or, like Europe, form relatively unified economic blocs, which facilitate the development of the wood processing industry, making them forest powers. In 2025, forests were primarily distributed in Europe, accounting for 25% of the world's forest area, followed by South America (20%), North and Central America (19%), Africa (16%), Asia (15%), and Oceania (4%) .

By country, the top five countries in terms of forest area are Russia (833 million hectares), Brazil (486 million hectares), Canada (369 million hectares), the United States (309 million hectares), and China (227 million hectares) . In terms of forest growing stock, the top five countries are Russia (125.68 billion cubic meters), Brazil (117.68 billion cubic meters), Canada (50.38 billion cubic meters), the United States (45.77 billion cubic meters), and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (33.96 billion cubic meters). China ranks sixth, with a growing stock of 21.21 billion cubic meters .

3. Global timber consumption shows a downward trend

To measure a country's timber consumption, the term "roundwood" is primarily used. Roundwood is further divided into "wood fuel" and "industrial roundwood". "Wood fuel" refers to roundwood used for fuel purposes; "industrial roundwood" refers to wood used for purposes other than fuel, including logs, sawnwood, pulpwood, and wood-based panels. In this article, "timber" specifically refers to "industrial roundwood". In 2023, global total timber consumption was 1.93 billion cubic meters, down 4.3% from 2022. Global timber consumption peaked at 2.076 billion cubic meters in 2021 and has been declining year by year since then, with a 3.1% decrease in 2022.

In 2023, Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, and North America were the main timber harvesting areas, with the following harvest volumes: Europe (including Russia): 578 million cubic meters (30%); Asia-Pacific: 507 million cubic meters (26%); North America (USA and Canada): 476 million cubic meters (25%); Latin America and the Caribbean: 285 million cubic meters (15%); Africa: 79 million cubic meters (4%). Between 2019 and 2023, timber harvest volumes increased by 17%, 2%, and 2% in Latin America and the Caribbean, the Asia-Pacific region, and Africa, respectively, while they decreased by 10% in Europe and North America.

4. Major timber production and consumption countries align with forest powers

By country, the top five timber-producing countries are the United States, Brazil, Russia, China, and Canada. In 2023, the total production of these five countries reached 1.01 billion cubic meters, accounting for 52% of the global harvest. Among them, the United States was the world's largest producer (346 million cubic meters), with its harvest volume down 10%. Brazil's harvest volume increased by 2%, making it the world's second-largest timber harvesting country. China's production remained stable, while Russia and Canada saw decreases of 2% and 10%, respectively.

In 2023, the world's top five timber-consuming countries were also the top five timber-producing countries. The United States was the largest consumer (341 million cubic meters), China was the second-largest consumer (210 million cubic meters), Brazil became the third-largest consumer with 183 million cubic meters, followed by Russia and Canada. Since 2019, Brazil's consumption has grown by 29%, China's has remained relatively stable, while consumption in the other three major consuming countries has declined.

Observing these five countries, forest harvesting and utilization have not harmed their forests; instead, they have contributed to forest area growth in these five nations.

5. World forest resources are abundant and sufficient for human use

In 2025, the global forest area was 4.14 billion hectares. Calculated based on China's forest growth rate (an average annual growth of 4.23 cubic meters per hectare), the world's forest growing stock could increase by 17.5 billion cubic meters annually. The world's annual consumption of timber and wood fuel is 4 billion cubic meters. Forest growth far exceeds consumption, demonstrating that forest resources are sufficient for human use and can be utilized while being protected.

02 Total Supply of Logs and Sawnwood in China

As shown in the figure above, after reaching a historical peak of 220 million cubic meters in 2021, China's total supply of logs and sawnwood declined by 7.7% in 2022, gradually recovering in 2023 and 2024, reaching 210 million cubic meters last year. The total supply of logs and sawnwood in China has remained relatively stable. The most significant change is that imports of logs and sawnwood have declined sharply from their peak of 115 million cubic meters in 2019, falling to 74.06 million cubic meters last year, a decrease of 35.5%. Domestic timber (commercial timber) has maintained a growth trend, surpassing imported logs and sawnwood for the first time in 2021, supplying 116 million cubic meters. Last year, it supplied 137 million cubic meters, accounting for 64.9% of the total supply of logs and sawnwood. Domestic timber production is expected to continue its growth trend.

03 Forest Resources and Timber Supply in China

1. China's forest area and forest cover have increased year by year

As of the end of 2023, China had 247 million hectares of forest land, with a forest cover exceeding 25%. The area of planted forests reached 92.4 million hectares, ranking first in the world. Forest growing stock was approximately 20.676 billion cubic meters . The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) commented that China ranked first in the world in terms of average annual net forest area increase between 2010 and 2020 . China's forests are mainly distributed in the eastern coastal and southwestern regions. Provinces with forest cover exceeding 60% include Fujian, Jiangxi, Guangxi, and Taiwan; provinces with forest cover between 50% and 60% include Zhejiang, Hainan, Yunnan, and Guangdong.

After the 1998 floods, China began large-scale afforestation efforts and gradually reduced forest harvesting. This continued until 2013 when all commercial harvesting of natural forests was banned, and even tending harvests in some natural forests ceased. As a result, while forest area has expanded year by year, concerns remain regarding forest quality. Overall, China remains a country with relatively low forest cover per capita. China's per capita forest area is only 0.18 hectares, less than one-third of the world average; per capita forest growing stock is 14.8 cubic meters, only one-fifth of the world average.

2. China's timber supply is expected to increase

Based on China's forest classification and relevant policies, the forest area permitted for harvesting is 30.8403 million hectares, accounting for 17% of the total forest area. The allowable harvest growing stock is 1.94 billion cubic meters, representing 11.4% of the total growing stock. The annual forest harvest quota for the "14th Five-Year Plan" period is 275 million cubic meters, an increase of 21 million cubic meters compared to the "13th Five-Year Plan" period . The main harvestable areas include Guangxi, Yunnan, Fujian, Guangdong, Sichuan, Jiangxi, Guizhou, and others.

Forest Growing Stock by Tree Species in China

China has implemented measures such as "closed hillsides for afforestation" and tree planting to reduce harvesting for over 20 years. Some forests are now approaching maturity and require tending and harvesting to promote forest regeneration and improve forest quality. Consequently, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration has been exploring ways to enhance forest quality while relaxing harvesting controls on planted forests and increasing timber supply. This is being achieved through revisions to the Forest Law, nationwide "Pilot Projects for Sustainable Forest Management," the increase in annual forest harvest quotas every five years, and the ongoing "National Reserve Forest" project. As shown in the table above, among China's commercial forests, the forest area and growing stock of Chinese fir, oak, Masson's pine, birch, and larch are far greater than those of eucalyptus and poplar, which are currently more heavily utilized. This indicates significant supply potential worth developing in the future.

Furthermore, the large-scale outbreak of pine wilt disease has affected 1.056 million hectares of forest area in 2024. According to relevant regulations, infected trees in epidemic areas must be "crushed (or chipped) or incinerated on-site in the mountain areas. The maximum particle size of crushed wood from infected trees shall not exceed 1 cm, and the thickness of chipped wood shall not exceed 0.6 cm." "Wood from epidemic areas, after crushing (or chipping), can be used locally for manufacturing fiberboard, particleboard, pellet fuel, as well as for papermaking or charcoal production." Infected timber from pine wilt disease will serve as a significant supplement to China's timber supply in the coming years. Some companies are also researching how to process infected timber into sawnwood to achieve higher value. Therefore, domestic timber production is expected to increase.

04 China's Timber Imports

1. China's timber imports show an overall downward trend

China imports logs and sawnwood from over 100 countries annually. After the pandemic, due to profound adjustments in the real estate market, a significant decline in new housing starts, and insufficient domestic effective demand, coupled with the substitution of imported materials with domestic timber for certain construction lumber, packaging, and furniture panels, overall log and sawnwood imports have shown a downward trend. Softwood log imports have declined significantly. In 2024, softwood log and softwood sawnwood import volumes were roughly equivalent. Hardwood imports have shown a downward trend since 2019, but the decline has been modest. In recent years, due to the expanding application range of rubberwood, hardwood sawnwood imports have shown a growth trend.

2. Log and sawnwood imports are expected to decline by over 10% this year

From January to September 2025, China's softwood log imports reached 18.016 million cubic meters, a year-on-year decrease of 8.1% . New Zealand is China's most important softwood log supplier. In 2024, softwood log imports from New Zealand accounted for 68% of China's total softwood log imports. From January to September, softwood log imports from New Zealand remained relatively stable, while imports from Japan and Canada increased by 12.4% and 9.1%, respectively. Japan's proximity to China results in lower transportation costs, and the application of Japanese cedar and cypress is expanding, allowing Japanese timber to perform well amidst general market declines. Imports from other countries have declined due to factors such as policies, costs, and inflation.

From January to September 2025, China's softwood sawnwood imports reached 11.149 million cubic meters, a year-on-year decrease of 14.3% . Russia is China's main softwood sawnwood supplier, accounting for 68%. Additionally, Canada and Belarus are also important suppliers of softwood sawnwood to China. The promotion of New Zealand radiata pine sawnwood has yielded noticeable results, and some factories have begun accepting New Zealand sawnwood.

From January to September 2025, China's hardwood log imports reached 5.942 million cubic meters, a year-on-year decrease of 24.9% . Hardwood imports from major supplying countries such as Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Russia, the United States, and the Republic of Congo all decreased to varying degrees year-on-year.

From January to September 2025, China's hardwood sawnwood imports reached 7.190 million cubic meters, a year-on-year decrease of 7.4% . Thailand is China's main hardwood sawnwood supplier, accounting for 49% of total imports. It is followed by Russia, the United States, Gabon, and the Philippines. Influenced by factors such as international trade barriers, timber re-exports through Vietnam have flourished, increasing by 98.5% year-on-year. For example, North American hardwood is processed into sawnwood in Vietnam and then exported to China. 54% of sawnwood imported from Vietnam is ash, and 36% is North American hardwoods.

05 Future Changes in China's Timber Supply

China's wood industry is entering a stage of high-quality development. It is expected that China's total timber consumption will remain relatively stable in the coming years, without significant growth or decline. The following changes may occur:

Change 1: In terms of timber sources, domestic timber supply deserves attention. Both national policies and corporate actions are actively exploring efficient harvesting and utilization of domestic timber. With technological innovation and research and development in wood utilization, domestic timber will be fully utilized at reasonable prices and in appropriate forms.

Change 2: China's timber supply pattern will change. Changing international trade policies and frequent geopolitical conflicts bring more "uncertainty" to international trade and increase international trade risks. To ensure the security of the industrial chain, Chinese enterprises will accelerate their global footprint. As Chinese enterprises invest in and establish factories in Southeast Asia, Africa, South America, and other regions, timber supply will follow these factories' exports to these countries. Trade in timber and semi-finished products between China and these countries will increase.

Change 3: The implementation of green barriers such as the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and carbon tariffs will impose increasingly stringent requirements regarding timber sources, traceability systems, due diligence, and corporate social responsibility.