Wood Matters

Log Market - February

Published on

Market Summary

The At Wharf Gate (AWG) prices for export logs increased an average of $7 in January and $27 in February. The large AWG price increase in February was due to a combination of increased sale prices in China, an easing of shipping costs and a weakening of the NZD against the USD. The CFR sale price in China that bottomed at 130-135 USD per JASm3 for A grade in December, is now above 160 USD in late February. Shipping costs, however, are also rising again.

The February PF Olsen log price index of $124 is $1 above the two-year average, $2 above the three year-average and equal to the five-year average.

 

Domestic Log Market

Log Supply and Pricing

There was a slower than usual resumption of harvest activity after the New Year holiday period in New Zealand. Many harvest crews had a longer break than normal and forest owners were not setting high setting production targets. Forest owners maintained sufficient harvesting to ensure log supply to domestic customers. During February, heavy rain in multiple areas as well as a cyclone in the North Island disrupted log supply.

 

Sawn Timber Markets

Sawmillers report very strong demand but there is concern that supply chain issues for associated building products may delay many projects. As an example, Fletcher building has confirmed Gib plasterboard, has some lead-in times of six months before delivery to a building site. Cost increases may also mean some projects are not started.

Tougher bank lending criteria and increased interest rates may also slow down demand.

New Zealand sawmills exported 10% and 44% more sawntimber to Australia and East Asia respectively in 2021 than they did in 2020. Overall, there was about 11% more sawntimber exported from New Zealand in total, so Australian sales remained the same proportionally. There was a big reduction in sawn timber sales to China, due to the real estate financial crisis. (Down 44% from 2020 sales).

This reduction in sales to China compared to 2020 started in Quarter 2 and progressively got worse through 2021. The inverse happened with sales to East Asia that increased progressively from Quarter 2 onwards in 2021.  
 

Chart, line chart - February 2022

Export Log Market

Despite the well-publicised financial crisis in the Chinese real estate and construction sectors they still soaked up the increased export volumes from New Zealand in 2021. Note there was no log supply to India at the end of 2021 due to changes in fumigation requirements. Over the year, log supply to India was down 70% on 2020 supply.

Chart, line chart - February 2022 2

 

China

The price for logs in China has risen steadily this year on the back of anticipated increased demand after the Chinese New Year. The price for A-grade logs is now above 160 USD per JAS m3.  

The inventory of pine logs at the 23 main log ports in China had dropped in January but is now back to around 4.5m m3 and daily offtake has started again after the Chinese New Year.

Log supply from NZ remains lower than expected. The previously mentioned wet weather and cyclone in New Zealand slowed the rate of harvest. This combined with debarker issues at two ports has caused several log vessels (spread across the array of log exporters) to sail without being completely full or wait for cargo. This is usually quite rare. Log supply from New Zealand is also likely to be reduced over March and April as workers become ill and/or are required to isolate, as New Zealand deals with the expected peak of the Covid Omicron wave.

This constrained log supply should maintain price pressure in China, as alternative supply options are very limited. There is less spruce arriving from Europe, and Russia banned log exports from the start of 2022. (Although one Russian seller informed me that they are allowed to export logs from species such as Birch which they regard as low value).

In the last quarter of 2021, China implemented new rules on the importation of Southern Yellow Pine logs (SYP) from the United States to combat phytosanitary concerns. Many exporters have therefore moved supply to different markets with supply reducing about 50% over the quarter.

Supply from Uruguay has pivoted between China and India, and Quarter 4 2021 was the first time that breakbulk supply from South America to India exceeded supply to China.

 

Market commentators expect an increase in log demand in India in Quarter 2 due to increased construction activity.

Some of the SYP logs previously sent to China from the United States has arrived in Kandla. Logs above 20cm small end diameter (SED) are selling in the 140 USD’s per JASm3. Logs are also arriving from Argentina and Uruguay. Prices for sawn timber in Kandla has increased to 591 INR and 631 INR per CFT for timber from Uruguay pine and SYP respectively.

Tuticorin in Southern India has a log shortage due to the ongoing container shortage. Sawn timber prices are above 700 INR per CFT. Sellers of sawn timber in Tuticorin are also facing competition from the Gandhidham market. Sawn timber is shipped from Kandla (19km from Gandhidham) to Chennai at lower prices and by truck to the Bengaluru and Hyderabad markets.
 

Exchange rates

The NZD was stable against the USD over December and weakened over January. This improved February AWG pricing by about 4-5 NZD per JAS m3.
 

Chart, line chart - February 2022 3
NZD: USD

Chart, line chart - February 2022 4

CNY: USD

 

Ocean Freight

The daily cost to hire a vessel has increased this month for log exporters. The cost of bunker fuel alone has added about 7 USD per JASm3 to shipping costs from New Zealand to China. Shipping rates to China from New Zealand are now above 60 USD per JASm3.

Chart, line chart - February 2022 5

Source: TradingEconomics.com

The Baltic Dry Index (BDI) is a composite of three sub-indices, each covering a different carrier size: Capesize (40%), Panamax (30%), and Supramax (30%). It displays an index of the daily USD hire rates across 20 ocean shipping routes. Whilst most of the NZ log trade is shipped in handy size vessels, this segment is strongly influenced by the BDI.

Chart, line chart - February 2022 6

Singapore Bunker Price (IFO380) (red line) versus Brent Oil Price (grey line)

Source: Ship & Bunker

 

 

PF Olsen Log Price Index – February 2022

The index of $124 is $1 above the two-year average, $2 above the three year-average and equal to the five-year average.

Chart, line chart - February 2022 7

Basis of Index: This Index is based on prices in the table below weighted in proportions that represent a broad average of log grades produced from a typical pruned forest with an approximate mix of 40% domestic and 60% export supply.

Indicative Average Current Log Prices – February 2022

Log Grade

$/tonne at mill

$/JAS m3 at wharf

Pruned (P40)

180-200

150-160

Structural (S30)

120-155

N/A

Structural (S20)

100-105

N/A

Export A

N/A

141

Export K

N/A

132

Export KI

N/A

125

Export KIS

N/A

117

Pulp

46

N/A

Note: Actual prices will vary according to regional supply/demand balances, varying cost structures and grade variation.  These prices should be used as a guide only and specific advice sought for individual forests.