In 2015, Japanese log exports reached 691,830 cbms, 32.7% more than 2014, and a record high. On contrast, Japan's lumber exports reached 61,621 cbms, 10.3% less than in 2014.
Japan's total forest products exports in 2015 were valued at 26,300 million yen (around 230,9 million US$), 24.8% more as compared to 2014. This exceeded the amount that the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries drew up as a yearly target by 2020.
Log exports was the most important business in the forest products. The main destinations for the Japanese logs were China, Korea and Taiwan, with China taking a share of more than 50%. For China, the import share of Japan's logs is about 1.5%, with Japan being its 15th log supplier.
If the price remains low, it is possible that in the upcoming years, Japan to increase log exports to China. However, there is a tough competition in Japan for the biomass power generation business, which consumes a sizable amount of low grade logs, so log shippers have a difficult time to accumulate logs for export. Also, the exchange rate is an important factor. When the yen gets stronger, it will be tough to offer attractive dollar prices.
Log exports for Korea also increased largely as demand for Japanese cypress is strong for interior finishing and furniture.
Lumber exports to Korea and Taiwan increased but the overall Japanese exports have dropped sharply.
Japan's plywood exports in 2015 expanded rapidly with a volume of 67,049 cbms, 143.7% more than 2014, getting close to the lumber export volume.
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