Export or produce? Using the available timber supply

Trade in roundwood
Industrial roundwood trade
Sawnwood production and trade
Wood-based panels
Wood-based pulp
Paper and paperboard

It is the industrial roundwood component of total timber production that forms the basis for both domestic production of primary products and for international trade. Based on perceived comparative advantage, stage of economic development, and related industrial and trade strategies, countries of the Asia Pacific Region can choose to process the available industrial timber supply in domestically located facilities and to then consume/trade those basic products, or alternatively, supply unprocessed timber to the international marketplace.

Trade in roundwood

Summary information regarding trade in total roundwood by Asia Pacific sub-region is reported in Figure 6 and Table 15 by Volume and Figure 7 and Table 16 by Value for the period 1980, 1985 and 1990-94. Detailed statistics by country and sub-region are contained in Appendix 11.

As indicated in Table 15, the Asia-Pacific region as a whole is a net importer of roundwood. Total imports have varied between a low of 62.8 million cubic meters in 1985 to a high of 72.2 million cubic meters in 1991. Imports declined from 1991-1994 to a level of 65.5 million cubic meters in 1994. Total Roundwood exports also declined over this period, from over 44 million cubic meters in 1980 to 30.4 million cubic meters in 1993, with an increase to 32.7 million cubic meters in 1994. On a net trade basis, the entire Asia Pacific region imported some 32.8 million cubic meters in 1994 than was exported, This trade deficit on a volume basis has existed throughout the 1980-94 period, from a low of 26.6 million cubic meters in 1980 to a high of 34.1 million cubic meters in 1991.⁵ Examination of Table 15 reveals that North Asia was a net importer, with a deficit in volume trade in roundwood throughout the observed period. This region had a negative trade volume balance of 68.7 million cubic meters in 1980 which varied in the early 1990's reaching a negative balance of 59.5 million cubic meters in 1994. The greatest source of this deficit in roundwood was Japan with net imports of over 45.8 million cubic meters in 1994. South Korea and China were the other major sources of the sub-region's roundwood trade volume deficit. The South Asia region was also a net importer, having had a trade volume surplus of 255 thousand cubic meters in 1980 which reached a maximum deficit of 1.4 million cubic meters in 1990 before declining to a negative volume balance of only 367 thousand cubic meters for 1994. India reached a negative volume balance of almost 1.3 million cubic meters in 1990 before reducing import volumes significantly to only 285 thousand cubic meters in 1994. Pakistan also had an increasing volume deficit through the period, reaching almost 117 thousand cubic meters in 1994.

⁵ The net trade for each sub-region implicitly cancels out trade between countries in that region, leaving a net trade balance for the sub-region. Summing the positions of each sub-region in turn nets out trade between sub-regions, deriving a total net trade balance for the entire Asia Pacific region.

Figure 6. Roundwood Net Balance of Trade for the Asia-Pacific Region by Volume

Table 15. Summary - Total Roundwood Import, Export and Net Trade Balance

Asia Pacific - Regional Summary: Non-Conifer Industrial Roundwood (1000 CUM)
FAOSTAT	1980	1985	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	94	146	1,416	906	840	383	455
Continental Asia	158	241	2,188	1,636	2,167	1,516	1,548
North Asia	68,853	61,703	59,862	68,854	64,565	60,982	62,285
Insular SE Asia	1,550	695	869	747	973	966	1,172
Oceania - S. Pacific	9	5	106	86	39	30	21
Asia Pacific Total	70,664	62,790	64,441	72,229	68,584	63,877	65,481
Asia Pacific - Regional Summary: Non-Conifer Industrial Roundwood (1000 CUM)
FAOSTAT	1980	1985	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	349	82	62	38	65	42	88
Continental Asia	472	593	2,126	1,947	2,564	2,035	1,859
North Asia	165	94	548	1,717	1,898	2,337	2,773
Insular SE Asia	33,975	22,001	19,885	21,640	20,325	11,858	11,091
Oceania - S. Pacific	9,101	9,424	9,740	12,748	13,976	14,161	16,882
Asia Pacific Total	44,062	32,194	32,361	38,090	38,828	30,433	32,693
Asia Pacific - Regional Summary: Non-Conifer Industrial Roundwood (1000 CUM)
FAOSTAT	1980	1985	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	255	-64	-1,354	-868	-775	-341	-367
Continental Asia	31,4	352	-62	311	397	519	311
North Asia	-68,688	-61,609	-59,314	-67,137	-62,667	-58,645	-59,512
Insular SE Asia	32,425	21,306	19,016	20,893	19,352	10,892	9,919
Oceania - S. Pacific	9,092	9,419	9,634	12,662	13,937	14,131	16,861
Asia Pacific Total	-26,602	-30,596	-32,080	-34,139	-29,756	-33,444	-32,788

Sri Lanka was a small net exporter during most of the period, yet had a negative balance in 1994. Oceania-S. Pacific had the largest positive net volume balance in total roundwood, reaching 16.9 million cubic meters for 1994. This positive balance had increased from 9.1 million cubic meters in 1980. With the exception of modest imports by Australia (14 thousand cubic meters in 1994), this sub-region is primarily a roundwood exporter region. Australian exports ranged from a low of 5.9 million cubic meters in 1990 to a high of 7.3 million cubic meters in 1994. New Zealand was the second largest exporter, with exports growing steadily in the 1990's to reach 5.5 million cubic meters in 1994. Papua New Guinea was the third major exporter of the sub-region, with exports growing from only 773 thousand cubic meters in 1980 to almost 3.2 million cubic meters by 1994. More moderate by volume, exports from Fiji and the Solomon Islands increased at a rapid rate, reaching 251 thousand and 593 thousand cubic meters respectively in 1994.

Perhaps the most significant trend illustrated in Table 15 is the rapidly declining positive volume trade balance in roundwood from Insular SE Asia. Imports dipped after 1980, but exports have fallen sharply, from almost 34 million cubic meters in 1980 to only 11.1 million cubic meters in 1994. This is, of course, directly related to the decision to ban log exports from Indonesia after 1980 with a subsequent decline from exports of 16.6 million cubic meters (1980) to about 1.6 million cubic meters in the 1991-94 period. At the same time, exports of roundwood from Malaysia increased from 15.8 million cubic meters in 1980 to almost 20. 3 million cubic meters by 1985. Thereafter, exports held at 18 to 19.5 million cubic meters through 1992, then declined to 8.8 million cubic meters for 1994. The Philippines has continued to be a modest net importer of roundwood, while Singapore, on the other hand, has experienced a variable trend, beginning as a net importer of over 1.2 million cubic meters in 1980 but becoming a net volume exporter from 1990-1994. Continental SE Asia has, with the exception of 1990 experienced a net trade volume surplus in roundwood, having a positive balance of 519 thousand cubic meters in 1993, slipping to 311 thousand cubic meters in 1994. While the majority of imports have been by Thailand (1.5 million cubic meters in 1994), the major sub-region exporter has been Myanmar. Exports from Myanmar exceeded 1.4 million cubic meters in 1992, thereafter declining to 982 million cubic meters in 1994.

As shown in Table 16, the Asia Pacific region has been a net importer of roundwood in value terms. While exports have ranged from US$ 3.4 billion in 1980 to a low of US$ 1.6 billion in 1985, exports have been near US$ 3.1 billion for the period 199294. At the same time, import values have increased from a low of US$ 5.1 billion in 1985 to US$ 9.7 billion in 1993 before a decline to just over US$ 9 billion for 1994. Oceania-S. Pacific has seen a growth in net roundwood value trade, reaching US$ 1.6 billion for 1994. North Asia, led by Japan of over US$ 7.3 billion in 1993, has consistently had a deficit balance of over US$ 7 billion in the 1990's with a high of US$ 9.2 billion in 1993. Insular Asia, although maintaining a positive balance by value, has seen a major decline from US$ 2.18 billion in 1980 to US$ 965 million for 1994. This trend, of course, reflects the log volume trends for Indonesia and Malaysia noted above.

Figure 7. Roundwood Net Balance of Trade for the Asia-Pacific Region by Value

Table 16. Total Roundwood Import, Export and Net Trade by Value

Asia Pacific Region - Summary - Total Roundwood Import (1000 US$)
FAOSTAT	1980	1985	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	8,146	14,189	242,429	174,089	219,368	37,344	58,556
Continental Asia	15,087	41,952	222,795	269,595	287,546	235,663	268,895
North Asia	8,372,379	5,003,496	7,053,616	7,968,473	7,517,713	9,338,588	8,552,250
Insular SE Asia	123,139	30,667	61,902	60,807	107,829	102,406	133,283
Oceania-S. Pacific	2,946	1,266	3,117	2,386	3,525	3,456	2,702
Asia Pacific Total	8,521,697	5,091,570	7,583,859	8,475,350	8,135,981	9,717,457	9,015,686
Asia Pacific Region - Summary - Total Roundwood Export (1000 US$)
FAOSTAT	1980	1985	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	31,537	2,516	6,655	5,066	3,275	2,752	3,877
Continental Asia	63,736	91,458	223,715	329,803	388,395	333,674	226,773
North Asia	40,346	16,678	36,297	140,318	136,557	173,557	160,574
Insular SE Asia	2,950,009	1,225,402	1,575,024	1,579,841	1,632,069	1,244,540	1,098,012
Oceania-S. Pacific	292,974	273,850	590,831	795,663	905,971	1,338,674	1,604,262
Asia Pacific Total	3,378,602	1,609,904	2,432,522	2,850,691	3,066,267	3,093,197	3,093,498
Asia Pacific Region - Summary - Net Roundwood Trade Balance (1000 $US)
FAOSTAT	1980	1985	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	23,391	-11,673	-235,774	-169,023	-216,093	-34,592	-54,679
Continental Asia	48,649	49,506	920	60,208	100,849	98,011	-42,122
North Asia	-8,332,033	-4,986,818	-7,017,319	-7,828,155	-7,381,156	-9,165,031	-8,391,676
Insular SE Asia	2,826,870	1,194,735	1,513,122	1,519,034	1,524,240	1,142,134	964,729
Oceania-S. Pacific	290,028	272,584	587,714	793,277	902,446	1,335,218	1,601,560
Asia Pacific Total	-5,143,095	-3,481,666	-5,151,337	-5,624,659	-5,069,714	-6,624,260	-5,922,188

Industrial roundwood trade

Most trade in roundwood would be for industrial product conversion elsewhere. Relatively little non-Industrial roundwood would enter international trade. Industrial roundwood historically was defined to include saw- and veneer logs, pulpwood, and 'other industrial'. However, with the establishment of the international harmonized trade classification system, the sub-categories were largely displaced with new separate categories for industrial roundwood for conifer, non-conifer-tropical, and non-conifer-other. As of 1989, the FAO database for forestry and forest products stopped reporting trade for the prior saw- and veneer log and other sub-categories, hence limiting the availability of time series date which is more recent.

Data compiled from the current FAOSTAT for the three categories of industrial roundwood are discussed briefly here for the period 1991 - 1994. Figure 8 and Table 17 presents sub-region summaries for industrial conifer roundwood imports, exports and net trade by volume. 18 summarized imports, exports and net trade by value. Detailed sub-region and country information is presented in Appendix 12.

As shown in Table 17, net Asia Pacific Conifer Roundwood imports varied from a high of 24.8 million cubic meters in 1991 to a low of 22.3 million cubic meters for 1993, increasing just slightly to 23.5 million cubic meters for 1994. Conifer industrial roundwood exports were considerably less, reaching just under 6 million cubic meters for 1994, up from 4.4 million cubic meters for 1991. For the Asia Pacific region as a whole, the region was a net importer of industrial conifer roundwood, with net imports of 17.5 million cubic meters for 1994. This was a decline from 20.4 million cubic meters for 1991.

Imports of industrial conifer roundwood was centered in North Asia, where Japan was the largest importer with 14.4 million cubic meters imported in 1994, almost 1 million cubic meters below the 15.3 million cubic meters imported in 1991. South Korea was the second leading importer, with 7.3 million cubic meters imported in 1994, up from the 6.4 million cubic meters imported in 1991. China was the third leading country in the North Asia sub-region in terms of industrial conifer roundwood imports, with the volume declining from 2.8 million cubic meters for 1991 to just under 1.6 million cubic meters in 1994. Oceania-S. Pacific was the leading exporter sub-region for industrial conifer roundwood, led by New Zealand with exports of over 4.8 million cubic meters in 1994. This represented an increase of 1.2 million cubic meters in New Zealand exports over 1991. Australia saw exports increase to 415 thousand cubic meters in 1994, up from only 135 thousand cubic meters for 1991. Myanmar (Continental sub-region) increased exports to 268 thousand cubic meters in 1994, being the largest sub-region exporter, followed by Laos with exports of 56 thousand cubic meters for 1994. Insular SE Asia was not a significant sub-region in terms of industrial conifer roundwood trade, with the Philippines being the largest importer (28 thousand cubic meters in 1994) and Malaysia the largest exporter. For Malaysia, exports declined from 185 thousand cubic meters in 1991 to only 71 thousand cubic meters in 1994.

Figure 8. Coniferous Industrial Roundwood Net Trade Balance for the Asia-Pacific Region by Volume

Table 17. Summary: Industrial Roundwood (Conifer) Imports, Exports and Net Trade by volume

Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Industrial Roundwood (Conifer)

Imports by Volume (1000 CUM)

FAOSTAT	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	69	53	22	24
Continental Asia	9	3	2	34
North Asia	24,586	22,753	22,237	23,375
Insular SE Asia	125	12	37	28
Oceania-S. Pacific	5	19	6	2
Asia Pacific Total	24,794	22,840	22,304	23,463

Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Industrial Roundwood (Conifer)

Exports by Volume (1000 CUM)

FAOSTAT	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	0	1	0	0
Continental Asia	234	245	266	327
North Asia	205	347	318	299
Insular SE Asia	215	115	98	92
Oceania-S. Pacific	3,704	4,399	4,532	5,265
Asia Pacific Total	4,358	5,107	5,214	5,983

Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Industrial Roundwood (Conifer)

Net Trade by Volume (1000 CUM)

FAOSTAT	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	-69	-52	-22	-24
Continental Asia	225	242	264	293
North Asia	-24,381	-22,406	-21,919	-23,076
Insular SE Asia	90	103	61	64
Oceania-S. Pacific	3,699	4,380	4,526	5,263
Asia Pacific Total	-20,436	-17,733	-17,090	-17,480

Reflecting the volume of industrial conifer roundwood trade, Figure 9 and Table 18 confirm that Asia Pacific is a significant net importer in value terms as well, with the regional deficit almost US$ 3.3 billion for 1993. As with volume, the largest net deficit region has been North Asia, with Japan, South Korea, and China accounting for almost all imports. Hong Kong experienced a net deficit with declining imports, reflecting in part the slow-down of conifer industrial roundwood imports into the People's Republic of China.

Trade in Non-Conifer Tropical Industrial Roundwood is summarized by sub-region in Figure 10 and Table 19. Perhaps surprisingly, Asia Pacific Region is nearing a balance in overall trade in non-conifer tropical industrial roundwood. Imports were 13.9 million cubic meters for 1994, down from 20.6 million cubic meters in 1991. At the same time, exports declined from 22.8 million cubic meters to only 13.4 million cubic meters. As a consequence, net volume trade declined from almost 3.1 million cubic meters (net exports) for 1992 to -486 thousand cubic meters (net imports) for 1994. North Asia had the greatest negative trade balance by volume, but which had declined from 19.5 million cubic meters (1991) to 8.7 million cubic meters for 1994. While Japan imports dropped modestly, to 7.4 million cubic meters in 1994, imports by China fell from 4.1 million cubic meters in 1991 to just under 1.5 million cubic meters for 1994. At the same time, imports by South Korea declined, from 4.1 million cubic meters to just 2.1 million cubic meters in 1994. Imports to the Continental SE Asia region were predominantly for Thailand, while exports were from Myanmar and Cambodia. Myanmar exports dropped from 1.2 million cubic meters in 1991 to 602 thousand cubic meters in 1994. Cambodia exports reached 499 thousand cubic meters in 1992 before declining to only 301 thousand cubic meters for 1994.

Insular SE Asia dominated exports of non-conifer tropical industrial roundwood within Asia Pacific,, yet saw the total export decline from 19.5 million cubic meters in 1991 to only 8.7 million cubic meters for 1994. While the Philippines and Singapore were small net importers, Malaysia saw exports decline from 19. 19.3 million cubic meters to 8.6 million cubic meters in 1994. Indonesia, with a ban on the export of unprocessed timber, saw volumes continue to decline, from only 134 thousand cubic meters in 1991 to just 43 thousand cubic meters for 1994.

Papua New Guinea was the major exporter of non-conifer tropical industrial roundwood within the Oceania-S. Pacific sub-region, with volume of exports increasing from 1.3 million cubic meters to 3.1 million cubic meters between 1991-1994. The Solomon Islands increased its modest exports from 295 thousand to 592 thousand cubic meters.

Figure 9. Coniferous Industrial Roundwood Net Trade Balance for the Asia-Pacific Region by Value

Table 18. Summary: Industrial Roundwood (Conifer) Imports, Exports and Net Trade by Value

Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Industrial Roundwood (Conifer)

Imports by Value (1000 US$)

FAOSTAT	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	7,892	6,560	994	1,029
Continental Asia	965	509	217	6,080
North Asia	3,215,634	3,342,156	4,134,517	3,770,701
Insular SE Asia	6,805	1,593	5,173	2,352
Oceania-S. Pacific	5	1,613	1,129	921
Asia Pacific Total	3,231,850	3,352,431	4,142,030	3,781,083

Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Industrial Roundwood (Conifer)

Exports by Value (1000 US$)

FAOSTAT	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	0	36	1	17
Continental Asia	14,109	17,799	20,497	24,587
North Asia	28,114	24,061	27,439	20,489
Insular SE Asia	19,046	9,093	23,681	18,988
Oceania-S. Pacific	210,372	232,233	454,557	456,428
Asia Pacific Total	271,641	283,222	526,175	520,509

Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Industrial Roundwood (Conifer)

Net Trade by Value (1000 US$)

FAOSTAT	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	-7,892	-6,524	-993	-1,012
Continental Asia	13,144	17,290	20,280	18,507
North Asia	-3,187,520	-3,318,095	-4,107,078	-3,750,212
Insular SE Asia	12,241	7,500	18,508	16,636
Oceania-S. Pacific	209,818	230,620	453,428	455,507
Asia Pacific Total	-2,960,209	-3,069,209	-3,615,855	-3,260,574

Figure 10. Non-coniferous Tropical Industrial Roundwood Net Trade Balance for the Asia-Pacific Region by Volume

Table 19. Summary: Industrial Roundwood (Non-Conifer-Tropical) Imports, Exports and Net Trade by Volume

Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Industrial Roundwood (Non Conifer-Tropical)

Imports by Volume (1000 CUM)

FAOSTAT	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	815	759	309	363
Continental Asia	1,546	2,032	1,364	1,393
North Asia	17,866	15,611	12,705	11,517
Insular SE Asia	388	635	464	580
Oceania-S. Pacific	2	1	1
Asia Pacific Total	20,617	19,038	14,843	13,853

Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Industrial Roundwood (Non Conifer-Tropical)

Export by Volume (1000 CUM)

FAOSTAT	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	38	4	2	6
Continental Asia	1,614	1,780	1,343	966
North Asia	33	41	29	2
Insular SE Asia	19,525	18,049	9,469	8,723
Oceania-S. Pacific	1,595	2,222	2,192	3,670
Asia Pacific Total	22,805	22,096	13,035	13,367

Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Industrial Roundwood (Non Conifer-Tropical)

Net Trade by Volume (1000 CUM)

FAOSTAT	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	-777	-755	-307	-357
Continental Asia	68	-252	-21	-427
North Asia	-17,833	-15,570	-12,676	-11,515
Insular SE Asia	19,137	17,414	9,005	8,143
Oceania-S. Pacific	1,593	2,221	2,119	3,670
Asia Pacific Total	2,188	3,058	-1,808	-486

The trends in Non-Conifer Tropical Industrial Roundwood trade by volume reflected as well in value terms as summarized in Figure 11 and Table 20. For 1991 and 1994 the Asia Pacific Region had a negative trade balance of over US$ 1 billion, with a sharp drop in 1992 but a corresponding peak in 1993. North Asia had a significant deficit (US$ 2.6 billion, 1994) while both Insular Asia and Oceania S.-Pacific had positive balances. As reported in Appendix 13, Japan had the largest deficit by value, at US$ 1.8 billion in 1994, but South Korea ($US 371 million), China (US$ 250 million) and Hong Kong (US$ 97.4 million) also contributed to the over-all imbalance in this sub-region's trade in non-conifer tropical industrial roundwood.

South Asia was most directly influenced by small and declining net imports by value by India, where imports dropped from US$ 158.6 million to just under US$ 46 million for 1994. Pakistan saw net imports increase from US$ 3.6 million to almost US$ 6.2 million during this time. Thailand, Myanmar and Viet Nam all saw exports drop (by value) from 1991-94, with Cambodia and Laos experiencing gains. Thailand had slightly declining imports by value, yet had imports averaging about US$ 260 million for 1991-94 while exports dropped to near zero.

Insular SE Asia's net export balance for non-conifer tropical industrial roundwood trade shrank from US$ 1.5 billion in 1991 to just under US$ 997 million by 1994. While imports increased for Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore, exports declined more significantly with the exception of Singapore. Malaysia exported declined from almost US$ 1.5 billion to US$ 974.6 million from 1991-94. By comparison, trade in Non-Conifer (Other) Industrial Roundwood was minor relative to both Conifer and Non-Conifer Tropical Industrial Roundwood. Summaries of Non-Conifer (Other) imports, exports and net trade by volume and value are provided in Figure 12, Table 21 and Figure 13 and Table 22, with sub-region and country details contained in Appendix 14.

The Asia Pacific Region was a net importer of Non-Conifer (Other) industrial roundwood over the 1991-94 period by both volume and value. North Asia was the largest importer, and had the greatest sub-region deficit. The volume of imports by the North Region declined moderately, from 1.8 million cubic meters in 1991 to 1.4 million cubic meters for 1994. Exports remained at about 450-500 thousand cubic meters over the period. The net trade position of North Asia for this category improved slightly, from a deficit of 1.2 million cubic meters in 1991 to 937 thousand cubic meters by 1994. China was the largest importer within the sub-region, with an import volume of 704 thousand cubic meters in 1994; however, China was also the largest sub-region exporter, exporting 418 thousand cubic meters in 1994, down moderately from earlier years. In contrast, Japan, and to a lesser extent, South Korea were largely importers. For Japan, imports dropped from 1.1 million cubic meters in 1991 to 546 million cubic meters for 1994.

Insular SE Asia also had a deficit in trade in Non-Conifer (Other) Industrial Roundwood trade, with a net deficit of about 320 thousand cubic meters for 1993-94.

Figure 11. Non-coniferous Tropical Industrial Roundwood Net Trade Balance for the Asia-Pacific Region by Value

Table 20. Summary: Industrial Roundwood (Non Conifer Tropical) Imports, Export, and Net Trade by Value

Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Industrial Roundwood (Non Conifer-Tropical)

Imports by Value (1000 US$)

FAOSTAT	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	162,335	209,201	32,352	54,074
Continental Asia	267,560	284,793	232,379	259,871
North Asia	2,654,704	2,158,103	3,170,002	2,552,688
Insular SE Asia	33,734	66,468	51,269	72,304
Oceania-S. Pacific	435	189	356	155
Asia Pacific Total	3,118,768	2,718,754	3,486,358	2,939,092

Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Industrial Roundwood (Non Conifer-Tropical)

Exports by Value (1000 US$)

FAOSTAT	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	4,945	542	773	975
Continental Asia	312,772	346,495	295,729	175,795
North Asia	4,306	6,130	5,258	366
Insular SE Asia	1,513,897	1,552,243	1,145,381	996,631
Oceania-S. Pacific	192,066	293,331	531,589	744,352
Asia Pacific Total	2,027,986	2,198,741	1,978,730	1,918,119

Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Industrial Roundwood (Non Conifer-Tropical)

Net Trade by Value (1000 US$)

FAOSTAT	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	-157,390	-208,659	-31,579	-53,099
Continental Asia	45,212	61,702	63,350	-84,076
North Asia	-2,650,398	-2,151,973	-3,164,744	-2,552,322
Insular SE Asia	1,480,163	1,485,775	1,094,112	924,327
Oceania-S. Pacific	191,631	293,142	531,233	744,197
Asia Pacific Total	-1,090,782	-520,013	-1,507,628	-1,020,973

Figure 12. Non-coniferous (other) Industrial Roundwood Net Trade Balance for the Asia-Pacific Region by Volume

Table 21. Summary: Industrial Roundwood (Non-Conifer Other) Imports, Exports and Net Trade

Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Industrial Roundwood (Non Conifer-Other)

Imports by Volume (1000 CUM)

FAOSTAT	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	15	15	50	31
Continental Asia	0	1	2	2
North Asia	1,780	1,592	1,479	1,367
Insular SE Asia	55	93	320	321
Oceania-S. Pacific	3	2	2	5
Asia Pacific Total	1,853	1,703	1,853	1,726

Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Industrial Roundwood (Non Conifer-Other)

Exports by Volume (1000 CUM)

FAOSTAT	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	0	2	6	6
Continental Asia
North Asia	584	550	552	430
Insular SE Asia
Oceania-S. Pacific	57	186	172	207
Asia Pacific Total	641	738	730	643

Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Industrial Roundwood (Non-Conifer-Other)

Net Trade by Volume (1000 CUM)

FAOSTAT	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	-15	-13	-44	-25
Continental Asia	0	-1	-2	-2
North Asia	-1,196	-1,042	-927	-937
Insular SE Asia	-55	-93	-320	-321
Oceania-S. Pacific	54	184	170	202
Asia Pacific Total	-1,212	-965	-1,123	-1,083

Figure 13. Non-coniferous (other) Industrial Roundwood Net Trade Balance for the Asia-Pacific Region by Value

Table 22. Summary: Non-Conifer Sawnwood Production by Volume

Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Industrial Roundwood (Non Conifer-Other)

Imports by Value (1000 US$)

FAOSTAT	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	3,408	3,186	3,892	2,269
Continental Asia	96	471	1,000	1,315
North Asia	289,533	260,330	287,981	255,280
Insular SE Asia	17,444	34,434	43,123	48,720
Oceania-S. Pacific	847	1,064	916	979
Asia Pacific Total	311,328	299,485	336,912	308,563

Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Industrial Roundwood (Non Conifer-Other)

Exports by Value (1000 US$)

FAOSTAT	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	96	278	229	233
Continental Asia
North Asia	58,563	52,908	65,160	42,379
Insular SE Asia
Oceania-S. Pacific	6,990	25,405	18,384	26,624
Asia Pacific Total	65,649	78,591	83,773	69,236

Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Industrial Roundwood (Non Conifer-Other)

Net Trade by Value (1000 US$)

FAOSTAT	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	-3,312	-2,908	-3,663	-2,036
Continental Asia	-96	-471	-1,000	-1,315
North Asia	-230,970	-207,422	-222,821	-212,901
Insular SE Asia	-17,444	-34,434	-43,123	-48,720
Oceania-S. Pacific	6,143	24,341	17,468	25,645
Asia Pacific Total	-245,679	-220,894	-253,139	-239,327

In contrast, Oceania-S. Pacific was the only sub-region with a net surplus in trade of Non-Conifer (Other) Industrial Roundwood. Volume of exports increased from 57 thousand cubic meters (1991) to 207 thousand cubic meters for 1994, while imports were insignificant. Within the sub-region, most exports were by New Zealand.

Sawnwood production and trade

Historically, the largest share of roundwood not exported by countries in the Asia Pacific Region has gone for the domestic production of sawnwood. Sawnwood produced domestically, of course, may subsequently be exported as Sawnwood rather than as roundwood. Further, Imported logs may also be used to produce sawnwood. The production, import, export, and net trade by volume for Non-Conifer Sawnwood is summarized in Figure 14, Figure 15, and Table 23. Imports, exports and net trade by value is summarized in Table 24. Detailed statistics for Non-Conifer Sawnwood by sub-region and country are reported in Appendix 15.

Non-Conifer Sawnwood production has increased overall from the Asia Pacific Region, from 44.6 million cubic meters in 1980 to 51 million cubic meters in 1994. Production was just under 53 million cubic meters for 1990, thereafter declining moderately. Major production was shared by Insular SE Asia (17.3 million cubic meters), South Asia (16.3 million cubic meters) and North Asia (13.6 million cubic meters) with smaller production in Continental Asia (2 million cubic meters) and Oceania-S. Pacific (1.8 million cubic meters). Production has declined for North Asia, while South Asia and Insular SE Asia have both experienced increasing production. India dominates production in South Asia, Thailand (with declining production) and Viet Nam lead Continental Asia in production, and China dominates production in North Asia, followed by Japan. China's production has increased from 7.8 million cubic meters to almost 9.7 million cubic meters from 1980-94, while Japan's production has declined from 7.0 to 2.9 million cubic meters.

Insular SE Asia production of non-conifer Sawnwood is largely shared between Malaysia (8.8 million cubic meters, 1994) and Indonesia (8.0 million cubic meters). Indonesia's production reached a high of 9 million cubic meters in 1990 and is estimated to have declined annually thereafter. Malaysia reached a production of 9.3 million cubic meters in 1992-93, up from 5.4 million cubic meters in 1985. Oceania production is highly concentrated in Australia, with volume declining from 2.1 million cubic meters in 1980 to 1.5-1.6 million cubic meters from 1991-94.

Non-conifer Sawnwood imports are lead by North Asia and more recently by Continental Asia. North Asia imports increased from 905 thousand cubic meters to a high of 4.8 million cubic meters in 1993. Continental Asia imports grew from 345 thousand cubic meters in 1980 to 2.3 million cubic meters for 1994. North Asia importers are primarily Japan and China, both of which have increased significantly since 1980, and South Korea, where imports have grown from zero to 934 thousand cubic meters.

Figure 14. Non-coniferous Sawnwood Production for the Asia-Pacific Region

Figure 15. Non-coniferous Sawnwood Net Trade for the Asia-Pacific Region by Volume

Table 23. Summary: Non-Conifer Sawnwood Imports, Exports and Net Trade by Volume

Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Non-Conifer Sawnwood Production by Volume (1000 CUM)
FAOSTAT	1980	1985	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	9,795	15,663	16,772	16,959	16,790	16,576	16,342
Continental Asia	2,740	1,999	2,428	2,415	2,377	2,013	2,027
North Asia	16,611	15,515	12,999	13,317	12,179	13,703	13,604
Insular SE Asia	13,009	13,825	18,769	18,260	18,353	18,060	17,254
Oceania-S. Pacific	2,486	2,133	1,960	1,759	1,750	1,713	1,806
Asia Pacific Total	44,641	49,135	52,928	52,710	51,449	52,065	51,033
Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Non-Conifer Sawnwood Imports by Volume (1000 CUM)
FAOSTAT	1980	1985	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	53	97	132	133	72	11	45
Continental Asia	345	246	'1,501	1,544	1,862	1,816	2,312
North Asia	905	1,874	3,323	3,668	4,190	4,843	4,523
Insular SE Asia	1,324	782	1,264	1,083	1,087	1,288	1,100
Oceania-S. Pacific	318	325	278	190	188	179	150
Asia Pacific Total	2,945	3,324	6,498	6,618	7,399	8,137	8,130
Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Non-Conifer Sawnwood Exports by Volume (1000 CUM)
FAOSTAT	1980	1985	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	9	2	69	67	8	6	8
Continental Asia	176	113	191	627	680	961	496
North Asia	124	155	316	399	904	663	459
Insular SE Asia	6,318	6,129	6,982	6,444	7,086	6,801	5,546
Oceania-S. Pacific	131	58	61	30	103	60	86
Asia Pacific Total	6,758	6,457	7,619	7,567	8,781	8,491	6,595
Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Non-Conifer Sawnwood Net Trade by Volume (1000 CUM)
FAOSTAT	1980	1985	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	-44	-95	-63	-66	-64	-5	-37
Continental Asia	-169	-133	-1,310	-917	-1,182	-855	-1,816
North Asia	-781	-1,719	-3,007	-3,269	-3,286	-4,180	-4,064
Insular SE Asia	4,994	5,347	5,718	5,361	5,999	5,513	4,446
Oceania-S. Pacific	-187	-267	-217	-160	-85	-119	-64
Asia Pacific Total	3,813	3,133	1,121	949	1,382	354	-1,535

Continental Asia imports have been essentially to Thailand, reaching 2.3 million cubic meters in 1994 from only 342 thousand cubic meters in 1980. Insular Asia imports have bee to Singapore, although 1994 volume declined from near 1 million cubic meters (1990-93) to 610 thousand cubic meters in 1994. Philippine imports, starting in 1992 grew to 438 thousand cubic meters, well below the long term decline in production. In spite of leading production in Oceania, Australia is also the dominant importer of non-conifer sawnwood.

Exports of non-conifer sawnwood historically exceeded imports from 1980 through 1993, but with the net trade balance declining. While the region had a net trade surplus in non-conifer sawnwood of 3.8 million cubic meters in 1980, this had dropped to under 1 million cubic meters in 1991, to only 354 thousand cubic meters in 1993, with a net volume trade deficit of 1.5 million cubic meters for 1994. This was primarily in response to a decline in exports after 1992, particularly declines for Insular SE Asia and Continental Asia. Insular SE Asia was the only sub-region with a positive volume trade balance in non-conifer sawnwood, reaching a peak of 6 million cubic meters in 1992 before declining to 4.4 million cubic meters in 1994. North Asia had a deficit in trade of 4.1 million cubic meters in 1994, almost offsetting the positive volume balance for Insular SE Asia. While exports have varied and declined from 1992 peaks, the switch from an Asia Pacific surplus to a deficit position was largely brought about by the increase in imports.

Continental Asia's position has largely reflected the dynamics in production (decline), imports (increased) and exports (small) for non-conifer sawnwood. In contrast, North Asia's changing trade position is reflective of the decline in Japan's production and increase in imports, together with China's modest increase in production but significant increase in imports. South Korea's declining production has also been matched with more modest increases in imports.

Insular Asia's position has reflected moderate increased production overall, stable imports, moderately declining exports, and a slightly declining trade balance in the volume of non-conifer sawnwood. Within the sub-region, Indonesia and Malaysia have increased production while Singapore (largely using imported logs) has reduced non-conifer sawnwood production, declining production in the Philippines, decreased imports by Singapore with increased Philippine imports, and declining Indonesia exports.

As shown in Figure 16 and Table 24, the net trade position for the Asia Pacific Region as a whole has changed from a net surplus of US$ 871 million in 19780 to a deficit of US$ 649 million in 1994. Only the gain in exports by Insular SE Asia in 1992 enabled Asia Pacific to hold a modest positive balance in that year. Larger imports by North Asia subsequently turned this small surplus to the deficits shown for 1993-94. Indonesia and Malaysia were the only Insular Asia countries to have a positive balance by value for non-conifer sawnwood in 1994, led by Malaysia's surplus of over US$ 1.5 billion.

Figure 16. Non-coniferous Sawnwood Net Trade for the Asia-Pacific Region by Value

Table 24. Summary: Non-Conifer Sawnwood Imports, Exports and Net Trade by Value

Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Non-Conifer Sawnwood Imports by Value (1000 US$)
FAOSTAT	1980	1985	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	8,386	8,637	20,643	18,468	23,687	6,155	16,148
Continental Asia	45,023	37,763	317,984	363,387	433,618	501,053	581,045
North Asia	272,840	453,204	1,259,802	1,437,313	1,496,988	2,124,526	2,242,674
Insular SE Asia	172,362	95,017	170,226	184,224	250,900	266,486	289,372
Oceania-S. Pacific	86,556	123,460	109,220	80,665	81,818	89,500	99,622
Asia Pacific Total	585,167	718,081	1,877,875	2,084,057	2,287,011	2,987,720	3,228,861
Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Non-Conifer Sawnwood Exports by Value (1000 US$)
FAOSTAT	1980	1985	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	1,586	969	18,892	16,217	4,078	3,401	5,040
Continental Asia	69,669	57,237	85,500	240,004	229,454	286,229	184,407
North Asia	63,747	55,786	119,526	138,523	211,155	261,244	225,683
Insular SE Asia	1,289,863	971,045	1,534,325	1,586,405	1,950,098	2,306,945	2,128,817
Oceania-S. Pacific	31,737	14,171	20,879	11,231	24,842	18,646	35,998
Asia Pacific Total	1,456,602	1,099,208	1,779,122	1,992,380	2,419,627	2,876,465	2,579,945
Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Non-Conifer Sawnwood Net Trade by Value (1000 US$)
FAOSTAT	1980	1985	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	-6,800	-7,668	-1,751	-2,251	-19,609	-2,754	-11,108
Continental Asia	24,646	19,474	-232,484	-123,383	-204,164	-214,824	-396,638
North Asia	-209,093	-397,418	-1,140,276	-1,298,790	-1,285,833	-1,863,282	-2,016,991
Insular SE Asia	1,117,501	876,028	1,364,099	1,402,181	1,699,198	2,040,459	1,839,445
Oceania-S. Pacific	-54,819	-109,289	-88,341	-69,434	-56,976	-70,854	-63,624
Asia Pacific Total	871,435	381,127	-98,753	-91,677	132,616	-111,255	-648,916

The Asia Pacific Region is also a major producer of Conifer Sawnwood, as indicated in Figure 17, Figure 18, and Table 25. Total regional production was 50.5 million cubic meters in 1980, increasing to 51. 9 million cubic meters in 1990. Production was 49.5 million cubic meters in 1994. As compared with Non-Conifer Sawnwood (Table 23), production volumes within Asia Pacific Region are approximately comparable, particularly in the 1990's. However, patterns of production are quite different

Conifer Sawnwood production is largely concentrated in North Asia, primarily Japan and China. Japan's production has declined, from 29.9 million cubic meters in 1980 to 22.8 million cubic meters in 1994, reflecting changed patterns of conifer industrial roundwood imports. China's production of conifer sawnwood was 15.5 million cubic meters in 1994, about equal to 1990 production but below the high of 17.7 million cubic meters of 1985. South Korea production reached 3.2 million cubic meters in 1991, then declined to approximately 2.7 million cubic meters for 1993-94 (see Appendix 16 for country and sub-region details).

Oceania-S. Pacific was the second leading sub-region of conifer sawnwood production, concentrated primarily in New Zealand. (2.8 million cubic meters, 1994) and Australia (1.9 million cubic meters, 1994). Both New Zealand and Australia have increased production of conifer sawnwood since 1980 in response to increased harvest of plantation timber. Elsewhere, conifer sawnwood production has remained modest. India has maintained production estimated at 2.5 million cubic meters over the past decade, while Pakistan has had only small increased production, reaching 577 thousand cubic meters in 1993 before declining to 432 thousand cubic meters for 1994. Production in Continental Asia has been stagnant with the largest share originating in Viet Nam. Cambodia and Myanmar have only had estimated conifer sawnwood production since 1992. Indonesia has experienced some increase in conifer sawnwood production, with output estimated at about 138 thousand cubic meters in the 1990's, based on increased plantations. Fiji production reached an estimated 90 thousand cubic meters in 1991 but subsequently has declined to 57 thousand cubic meters for 1993-94.

While leading the Asia Pacific region in conifer sawnwood production, North Asia is also the dominant importer, primarily Japan. Japan's imports grew from just under 5 million cubic meters in 1980 to over 9 million cubic meters for 1994. In addition, much of Japan's production of conifer sawnwood was based on imported conifer industrial roundwood. China's imports of conifer sawnwood have also grown, from virtually nothing in 1980 to 850 thousand cubic meters for 1994. South Korea also experienced rising imports after 1990, reaching 252 thousand cubic meters for 1993 and 218 thousand cubic meters for 1994. Oceania trade in conifer sawnwood is marked by exports from New Zealand and imports by Australia. New Zealand's exports grew to over 1 million cubic meters in 1994, reflecting growth in production as plantations mature. Australia accounts for the majority of the Asia Pacific imports of conifer sawnwood outside North Asia. North Asia exports are primarily from China, with volume above 300 thousand cubic meters for the period 1992-94. Modest exports from Insular SE Asia are primarily from Malaysia, with smaller volumes from the Philippines and Indonesia. Continental Asia exports of conifer sawnwood have been small, with the exception of 188 thousand cubic meters from Viet Nam in 1990, with 506 thousand cubic meters in 1991.

Figure 17. Coniferous Sawnwood Production for the Asia-Pacific Region

Figure 18. Coniferous Sawnwood Net Trade for the Asia-Pacific Region by Volume

Table 25. Summary: Conifer Sawnwood Production, Import, Export and Net Trade by Volume

Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Conifer Sawnwood Production by Volume (1000 CUM)

FAOSTAT	1980	1985	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	1,664	2,734	2,832	2,760	2,845	3,109	2,964
Continental Asia	63	57	105	113	132	131	148
North Asia	45,383	44,208	45,049	40,480	38,877	41,902	41,378
Insular SE Asia	101	129	217	220	216	228	228
Oceania-S. Pacific	3,316	3,659	3,651	3,669	4,091	4,555	4,819
Asia Pacific Total	50,527	50,787	51,854	47,242	46,161	49,925	49,537

Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Conifer Sawnwood Imports by Volume (1000 CUM)

FAOSTAT	1980	1985	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia Continental Asia	61 27	13 0	210	1 16	4 26	97 108	15 64
North Asia	4,986	4,323	7,729	8,297	8,638	9,928	10,213
Insular SE Asia	19	5	6	30	34	32	37
Oceania-S. Pacific	756	1,201	1,234	1,144	1,160	1,133	1,056
Asia Pacific Total	5,849	5,542	8,981	9,488	9,862	11,298	11,385

Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Conifer Sawnwood Exports by Volume (1000 CUM)

FAOSTAT	1980	1985	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	0	0	0	0	1	1	1
Continental Asia	0	0	188	506	49	39	51
North Asia	378	201	223	190	534	472	446
Insular SE Asia	150	101	79	81	139	189	175
Oceania-S. Pacific	640	500	597	862	921	994	1,049
Asia Pacific Total	1,168	802	1,087	1,639	1,644	1,695	1,722

Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Conifer Sawnwood Net Trade by Volume (1000 CUM)

FAOSTAT	1980	1985	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	-61	-13	-2	-1	-3	-96	-14
Continental Asia	-27	0	178	490	23	-69	-13
North Asia	-4,608	-4,122	-7,506	-8,107	-8,104	-9,456	-9,767
Insular SE Asia	131	96	73	51	105	157	138
Oceania-S. Pacific	-116	-701	-637	-282	-239	-139	-7
Asia Pacific Total	-4,681	-4,740	-7,894	-7,849	-8,218	-9,603	-9,663

The net trade position for conifer sawnwood for Asia Pacific is also summarized in Table 25. Overall, the region has experienced an increase in the overall conifer sawnwood deficit, growing from 4.7 million cubic meters in 1980 and 1985 to over 9.7 million cubic meters by 1994. This is in addition to regional conifer sawnwood production sustained by processing of imported conifer roundwood during this period. As implied above, however, this situation is primarily a North Asia situation, represented by the shift from imported roundwood to a greater share of imported conifer sawnwood by Japan. China's more modest increase in importation of conifer sawnwood also contributed to the growing trade deficit for the North Asia sub-region. South Korea and Hong Kong also represent net importers within the North Asia sub-region.

Trade in conifer sawnwood by value is summarized in Figure 19 and Table 26 with detailed accounts included in Appendix 16. As would be expected from the discussion of volume of imports and exports above, the Asia Pacific region has a negative trade balance for conifer sawnwood which has brown from US$ 995.2 million in 1980 to over US$ 3.5 billion in 1994. As with trade volume, this situation is primarily reflective of the situation in North Asia (Japan, China and South Korea). North Asia accounted for US$ 945.7 million of the 1985 region deficit, and fully US$ 3.5 billion of the 1994 regional deficit. Surprisingly, only Insular SE Asia had a positive balance by value, with a modest surplus of US$ 52 million in 1994, with surplus trade by Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. Only Singapore and Brunei had deficits for conifer sawnwood within the sub-region.

In spite of New Zealand's surplus of trade in conifer sawnwood, the large net imports by Australia and many of the South Pacific Islands contributed to an overall sub-region deficit in conifer sawnwood. This was US$ 60.9 million for 1994, down from a high of over US$ 174.5 million for 1990.

Figure 19. Coniferous Sawnwood Net Trade for the Asia-Pacific Region by Value

Table 26. Summary: Conifer Sawnwood Imports, Exports and Net Trade by Value

Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Conifer Sawnwood Imports by Value (1000 US$)

FAOSTAT	1980	1985	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	6,277	955	547	342	918	8,136	3,688
Continental Asia	2,400	58	5,000	8,000	6,414	13,222	18,063
North Asia	1,038,925	681,627	2,104,933	2,183,634	3,072,855	3,357,883	3,597,868
Insular SE Asia	2,840	1,284	1,688	7,434	9,562	14,363	15,951
Oceania-S. Pacific	151,936	130,999	290,725	260,193	261,803	287,229	379,478
Asia Pacific Total	1,202,378	814,923	2,402,893	2,459,603	3,351,552	3,680,833	4,015,048

Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Conifer Sawnwood Exports by Value (1000 US$)

FAOSTAT	1980	1985	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	8	0	0	0	197	208	146
Continental Asia	0	0	30,571	66,452	8,509	6,013	7,839
North Asia	93,271	42,114	89,602	79,404	89,780	95,175	91,590
Insular SE Asia	29,866	19,269	33,442	26,511	43,151	77,841	68,108
Oceania-S. Pacific	83,993	64,272	116,153	172,853	186,745	277,638	318,516
Asia Pacific Total	207,138	125,655	269,768	345,220	328,382	456,875	486,199

Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Conifer Sawnwood Net Trade by Value (1000 US$)

FAOSTAT	1980	1985	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	-6,269	-955	-547	-342	-721	-7,928	-3,542
Continental Asia	-2,400	-58	25,571	58,452	2,095	-7,209	-10,224
North Asia	-945,654	-639,513	-2,015,331	-2,104,230	-2,983,075	-3,262,708	-3,506,278
Insular SE Asia	27,026	17,985	31,754	19,077	33,589	63,478	52,157
Oceania-S. Pacific	-67,943	-66,727	-174,572	-87,340	-75,058	-9,591	-60,962
Asia Pacific Total	-995,240	-689,268	-2,133,125	-2,114,383	-3,023,170	-3,223,958	-3,528,849

Wood-based panels

Since 1980, the production of wood-based panels has grown substantially in the Asia Pacific Region. In 1980, total production was 19.5 million cubic meters, growing to 22.3 million and 29.1 million cubic meters by 1985 and 1990 respectively. Thereafter, wood based panel production grew even more rapidly, reaching 50.7 million cubic meters by 1994. A summary of production, imports, exports and net trade in wood-based panels is shown in Figure 20, Figure 21, and Table 27, with detailed statistics by sub-region and country included in Appendix 17.

The majority of wood-based panel production is in North Asia, led by China. Sub-region production has increased from 14.2 million cubic meters in 1980 and 1990, to over 30.8 million cubic meters for 1994. China's production increased from only 2.3 million cubic meters in 1980, to almost 21.6 million cubic meters for 1994. Japan's production declined after 1980, from 10.3 million cubic meters in that year to 7.5 million cubic meters in 1994, in part the results of the drastically reduced availability of roundwood non-conifer tropical logs for panel production.

Production of wood based panels for Insular SE Asia also increased dramatically, from only 3.5 million cubic meters in 1980 to over 16 million cubic meters in 1994. This growth was largely the result of the substitution of domestic panel production for the export of unprocessed non-conifer tropical industrial log exports in Indonesia after 1980. Indonesia's wood panel production grew from 1 million cubic meters in 1980 to over 10.5 million cubic meters for 1994, a ten-fold increase. During the time, production of wood based panels in Malaysia increased from 1.1 million cubic meters to 5.1 million cubic meters in 1993, and 4.9 million cubic meters for 1994. Singapore production declined in the region, as did the Philippines. Both countries saw approximately a fifty percent decline in production from 1980-1994 near 350 thousand cubic meters for 1993-94.

Oceania also experienced an increase in wood based panel production, from 1.2 million cubic meters in 1980 to almost 2.2 million cubic meters in 1994. For 1994, both Australia and New Zealand produced approximately 1.1 million cubic meters. Growth in production in Australia has been more modest, however, up from 847 thousand cubic meters in 1980. During this time, New Zealand production grew from 319 thousand cubic meters. Production in the Continental SE Asia sub-region grew to almost 1 million cubic meters, primarily through growing output in Thailand which accounted for 929 thousand cubic meters of the 1994 sub-region total. Production of wood based panels in South Asia has remained more static, ranging between 536 thousand and 568 thousand cubic meters from 1985-94, with the majority of production (estimated at 442 thousand cubic meters) produced in India. Production in Pakistan doubled, from 48 thousand cubic meters in 1980 to some 94 million cubic meters in 1994.

Figure 20. Panel Production for the Asia-Pacific Region

Figure 21. Panel Net Trade for the Asia-Pacific Region by Volume

Table 27. Summary: Wood Based Panels - Production, Imports, Exports and Net Trade by Volume

Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Wood-Based Panels Production by Volume (1000 CUM)
FAOSTAT	1980	1985	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	327	536	558	561	557	564	568
Continental Asia	184	233	515	587	549	904	998
North Asia	14,226	12,884	14,793	18,068	22,743	24,410	30,834
Insular SE Asia	3,519	7,321	11,493	13,258	14,826	16,426	16,061
Oceania-S. Pacific	1,197	1,325	1,734	1,670	1,743	1,888	2,198
Asia Pacific Total	19,453	22,299	29,093	34,144	40,418	44,192	50,659
Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Wood-Based Panels Imports by Volume (1000 CUM)
FAOSTAT	1980	1985	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	33	20	38	23	40	25	69
Continental Asia	8	7	50	53	75	57	70
North Asia	645	1,490	8,214	9,081	10,137	11,817	12,618
Insular SE Asia	404	753	963	900	788	832	837
Oceania-S. Pacific	106	131	190	199	253	252	252
Asia Pacific Total	1,196	2,401	9,455	10,256	11,293	12,983	13,846
Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Wood Based Panels Exports by Volume (1000 CUM)
FAOSTAT	1980	1985	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	13	16	24	24	22	19	44
Continental Asia	16	29	11	19	51	211	207
North Asia	2,000	877	1,071	959	1,066	1,013	632
Insular SE Asia	1,936	5,866	10,872	11,382	12,029	12,752	12,865
Oceania-S. Pacific	157	97	419	513	622	609	810
Asia Pacific Total	4,122	6,885	12,397	12,897	13,790	14,604	14,558
Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Wood-Based Panels Net Trade by Volume (1000 CUM)
FAOSTAT	1980	1985	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	-20	-4	-14	1	-18	-6	-25
Continental Asia	8	22	-39	-34	-24	154	137
North Asia	1,355	-613	-7,143	-8,122	-9,071	-10,804	-11,986
Insular SE Asia	1,532	5,113	9,909	10,482	11,241	11,920	12,028
Oceania-S. Pacific	51	-34	229	314	369	357	558
Asia Pacific Total	2,926	4,484	2,942	2,641	2,497	1,621	712

The Asia Pacific region had imports of wood based panels of 13.8 million cubic meters in 1994, significantly up from the 1.2 million cubic meters imported in 1980. Most of this increase took place in North Asia, where the increased unavailability of non-conifer tropical industrial roundwood resulted in a decline in production based on imported logs and a corresponding import of wood based panels. Imports by Japan, increased from 315 thousand to over 5.6 million cubic meters; imports by South Korea grew from 17 thousand cubic meters in 1985 to over 1.7 million cubic meters, and imports by China increased from 50 thousand cubic meters (1980) to almost 4.0 million cubic meters. Hong Kong also saw imports increase but more moderately, from 273 thousand cubic meters to 1.3 million cubic meters in 1994. Insular Asia imports of wood based panels more than doubled, from 404 thousand cubic meters to over 837 thousand cubic meters. This trade was primarily by Singapore, but smaller imports were recorded by Malaysia and the Philippines. Continental Asia saw modest imports by Thailand, while South Asia experiences small imports by Sri Lanka.

Wood panel exports also experienced strong growth over the 1980-94 period, but not as rapidly as imports. Export volume was 4.1 million cubic meters for 1980, growing to 12.4 million cubic meters by 1990. Thereafter, growth has been steady but moderate, with exports reaching 14.6 million cubic meters in 1994. As is well recognized, the greatest proportion of wood-base panel exports are from Insular SE Asia, led by Indonesia which increased exports from only 245 thousand cubic meters in 1980 to in excess of 9.2 million cubic meters in 1993 and 8.6 million cubic meters for 1994. Malaysia also experienced increased wood panel exports, from 604 thousand cubic meters in 1980 to over 3.8 million cubic meters for 1994. The Philippines saw exports drop from 435 thousand cubic meters to 58 thousand cubic meters during this period, while Singapore exports declined from a high of 860 thousand cubic meters in 1990 to just 188 thousand cubic meters for 1993 before exports recovered to 348 thousand cubic meters for 1994.

South Asia exports originated in India, with a drop in the modest exports from Bhutan after 1991. Continental Asia exports increased but were modest, with Thailand being the primary source. Thailand's exports were 194 thousand cubic meters for 1993 and declined to 157 thousand cubic meters for 1994. Sub-region exports were 207 thousand cubic meters for 1994.

The above patterns in production and trade resulted in the Asia Pacific Region as a whole being a net volume exporter, although North Asia was a strong net importer. Since 1990, Insular SE Asia has had a net trade surplus which has exceeded North Asia's net volume deficit by a diminishing margin, with 1994 balances almost offsetting. Insular SE Asia enjoyed a positive balance by volume for wood-based panels of just over 12 million cubic meters, while North Asia had a volume deficit of just under 12 million cubic meters. Oceania-S. Pacific had a small but growing positive volume trade balance, reaching 558 thousand cubic meters for 1994. As shown in Figure 22 and Table 28, wood based panel trade by value mirrors closely the volume trade flow. Insular and North Asia have converged with a positive by diminishing balance in favor of Insular SE Asia overall. Insular SE Asia had a positive balance by value of almost US$ 5.6 billion in 1993 and US$ 5.3 billion in 1994, accruing largely to Indonesia (US$ 3.7 billion, 1994) and Malaysia (US$ 1.6 billion, 1994). Oceania has also gained a growing surplus in wood based panel trade by value, overcoming a deficit in 1980 and 1985 moving towards achieving a positive balance of US$ 188.3 thousand for 1994. This net balance accrued primarily to New Zealand and Fiji.

Figure 22. Panel Net Trade for the Asia-Pacific Region by Value

Table 28. Summary: Wood Based Panels Imports, Exports and Net Trade by Value

Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Wood-Based Panels Imports by Value (1000 US$)
FAOSTAT	1980	1985	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	13,407	9,540	16,990	10,650	23,393	12,158	30,660
Continental Asia	2,071	1,583	21,963	26,501	42,791	35,827	44,306
North Asia	213,979	353,085	2,778,285	2,914,457	3,196,229	4,774,128	5,168,632
Insular SE Asia	103,270	77,731	201,852	260,989	289,432	231,041	320,429
Oceania-S. Pacific	51,524	49,622	87,767	79,455	103,092	99,918	121,956
Asia Pacific Total	384,251	491,561	3,106,857	3,292,052	3,654,937	5,153,072	5,685,983
Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Wood-based Panels Exports by Value (1000 US$)
FAOSTAT	1980	1985	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	7,164	12,000	15,917	16,739	12,718	10,560	17,873
Continental Asia	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
North Asia	818,219	333,496	477,964	403,877	414,616	455,038	300,605
Insular SE Asia	561,946	1,570,910	3,450,449	4,008,209	4,347,586	5,798,825	5,597,571
Oceania-S. Pacific	37,821	20,145	117,389	141,866	171,340	195,572	310,282
Asia Pacific Total	1,425,150	1,936,551	4,061,719	4,570,691	4,946,260	6,459,995	6,226,331
Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Wood-Based Panels Net Trade by Value (1000 US$)
FAOSTAT	1980	1985	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	-6,243	2,460	-1,073	6,089	-10,675	-1,598	-12,787
Continental Asia	-2,071	-1,583	-21,963	-26,501	-42,791	-35,827	-44,306
North Asia	604,240	-19,589	-2,300,321	-2,510,580	-2,781,613	-4,319,090	-4,868,027
Insular SE Asia	458,676	1,493,179	3,248,597	3,747,220	4,058,154	5,567,784	5,277,142
Oceania-S. Pacific	-13,703	-29,477	29,622	62,411	68,248	95,654	188,326
Asia Pacific Total	1,040,899	1,444,990	954,862	1,278,639	1,291,323	1,306,923	540,348

Wood-based pulp

The domestic consumption of wood in the Asia Pacific also includes wood fiber utilized in the manufacture of pulp. Together with the use of other non-wood based fibers, this sector provides raw material for the subsequent production of a broad range of paper and paperboard products.

Wood based pulp production in the Asia Pacific region has increased by approximately one third from 1980 to 1994, from 14.4 million metric tons to just over 20.1 million metric tons. The summary of wood pulp production, import, export and net trade by volume is given in Figure 23, Figure 24 and Table 29, and by value for trade in wood pulp in Figure 25 and Table 30. Details by sub-region and country are provided in Appendix 18.

As shown in Table 29, production of wood pulp in North Asia has dominated Asia Pacific region production, although the proportional share from this sub-region has declined. In 1980, North Asia produced over 11.3 million metric tons, or about 79 percent of total Asia Pacific production. North Asia production had increased to 14.2 million metric tons in 1991, then declined to 13.9 million metric tons for 1994, accounting for 69 percent of the regional total. The majority of sub-regional production has been in Japan, which produced an estimated 10.6 million metric tons in 1994, about the average for the 1990's but only slightly above the levels achieved in 1980 and 1985. Growth in the North sub-region production was primarily in China, where production increased by approximately 1 million metric tons between 1985 and 1994, in spite of the severe shortage of wood fiber and the high degree of utilization of non-wood fibers for pulping. South Korea also increased production within the North Asia sub-region, from 167 thousand metric tons in 1980 to 532 thousand metric tons in 1994. Oceania-S. Pacific and South Asia sub-regions were the second and third leading wood pulp producers within the Asia Pacific region, with Oceania producing 2.4 million metric tons and South Asia 2.3 million metric tons in 1994. While the growth in production was small for Oceania, South Asia production effectively doubled from 1980 to 1994. Within Oceania the majority of wood pulp production is in New Zealand (1.4 million MT in 1994) while the balance is produced in Australia (987 thousand MT for 1994). Within South Asia, India is the dominant producer of wood based pulp, with growth from 840 thousand metric tons in 1980 to almost 2.0 million metric tons in 1994. The greatest growth for Indian production took place from 1980 to 1990, with production relatively static during the 1990's.

Figure 23. Pulp Production for the Asia-Pacific Region

Figure 24. Pulp Net Trade for the Asia-Pacific Region by Volume

Table 29. Summary: Wood Pulp Production, Import, Export and Net Trade by Volume

Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Wood Pulp Production by Volume (1000 MT)
FAOSTAT	1980	1985	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	1,012	1,514	2,088	2,144	2,219	2,281	2,286
Continental Asia	10	26	21	46	53	59	123
North Asia	11,339	11,375	13,752	14,207	13,801	13,542	13,877
Insular SE Asia	190	291	855	903	1,185	1,498	1,513
Oceania-S. Pacific	1,819	2,054	2,261	2,387	2,306	2,369	2,350
Asia Pacific Total	14,370	15,260	18,977	19,687	19,564	19,749	20,149
Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Wood Pulp Imports by Volume (1000 MT)
FAOSTAT	1980	1985	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	58	98	154	278	222	242	239
Continental Asia	80	98	129	187	224	322	283
North Asia	3,121	3,792	4,825	5,484	5,854	6,025	7,271
Insular SE Asia	184	243	398	443	722	982	1,034
Oceania-S. Pacific	285	208	280	198	237	253	240
Asia Pacific Total	3,728	4,439	5,786	6,590	7,259	7,824	9,067
Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Wood Pulp Exports by Volume (1000 MT)
FAOSTAT	1980	1985	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	0	0	0	0	0	1	1
Continental Asia	0	0	1	26	25	59	57
North Asia	133	79	103	101	162	116	58
Insular SE Asia	2	6	142	152	132	119	161
Oceania-S. Pacific	475	428	649	684	649	699	666
Asia Pacific Total	610	513	895	963	968	994	943
Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Wood Pulp Net Trade by Volume (1000 MT)
FAOSTAT	1980	1985	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	-58	-98	-154	-278	-222	-241	-238
Continental Asia	-80	-98	-128	-161	-199	-263	-226
North Asia	-2,988	-3,713	-4,722	-5,383	-5,692	-5,909	-7,213
Insular SE Asia	-182	-237	-256	-291	-590	-863	-873
Oceania-S. Pacific	190	220	369	486	412	446	426
Asia Pacific Total	-3,118	-3,926	-4,891	-5,627	-6,291	-6,830	-8,124

Figure 25. Pulp Net Trade for the Asia-Pacific Region by Value

Table 30. Summary: Wood Pulp Imports, Exports and Net Trade by Value

Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Wood Pulp Imports by Value (1000 US$)
FAOSTAT	1980	1985	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	25,120	45,418	68,800	130,459	117,997	75,583	94,728
Continental Asia	43,682	39,947	101,657	118,889	136,737	164,190	158,871
North Asia	1,463,760	1,434,697	3,161,202	2,939,493	2,933,316	2,397,772	3,468,226
Insular SE Asia	76,154	87,279	234,356	245,216	367,803	402,185	521,939
Oceania-S. Pacific	106,568	75,855	193,519	118,054	123,331	109,490	96,416
Asia Pacific Total	1,715,284	1,683,196	3,759,534	3,552,111	3,679,184	3,149,220	4,340,180
Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Wood Pulp Exports by Value (1000 US$)
FAOSTAT	1980	1985	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	0	0	0	0	288	866	899
Continental Asia	0	0	781	11,030	10,901	12,850	30,659
North Asia	66,600	24,905	55,971	43,405	96,208	61,293	34,940
Insular SE Asia	462	3,303	80,740	73,728	60,620	41,661	93,209
Oceania-S. Pacific	130,369	100,951	255,740	230,796	216,614	203,833	235,844
Asia Pacific Total	197,431	129,159	393,232	358,959	384,631	320,503	395,551
Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Wood Pulp Net Trade by Value (1000 US$)
FAOSTAT	1980	1985	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	-25,120	-45,418	-68,800	-130,459	-117,709	-74,717	-93,829
Continental Asia	-43,682	-39,947	-100,876	-107,859	-125,836	-151,340	-128,212
North Asia	-1,397,160	-1,409,792	-3,105,231	-2,896,088	-2,837,108	-2,336,479	-3,433,286
Insular SE Asia	-75,692	-83,976	-153,616	-171,488	-307,183	-360,524	-428,730
Oceania-S. Pacific	23,801	25,096	62,221	112,742	93,283	94,343	139,428
Asia Pacific Total	-1,517,853	-1,554,037	-3,366,302	-3,193,152	-3,294,553	-2,828,717	-3,944,629

Wood based pulp production has also grown in Insular SE Asia, centered on Indonesia, where production grew from only 190 thousand metric tons in 1980 to 1.5 million metric tons in 1994. Indonesia accounted for almost 1.3 million metric tons, or about 83 percent of the sub-region's output in 1994. The Philippines has maintained production near 150 thousand metric tons annually since 1985, while Malaysia has only reported production for 1993-94, yielding 103 thousand metric tons in 1994. Continental SE Asia has not been a major producer of wood based pulp, yet volume increased from 10 thousand metric tons in 1980 to 123 thousand metric tons in 1994, produced in Thailand and Viet Nam.

Trade in wood-based pulp has been primarily as imports, with the Asia Pacific region as a whole having a growing deficit in trade by volume. In 1994, Asia Pacific had net imports of over 8.1 million metric tons, an increase of over 2.5 times the net imports of 3.1 million metric tons of 1980. Imports were primarily to the North Asia sub-region, in spite of this sub-region being the major Asia Pacific producer. Japan was the largest importer, followed by South Korea and China. Japan imports have grown moderately, to 3.7 million metric tons in 1994, up from 2.2 million metric tons in 1980 and 1985. South Korean imports grew from 465 thousand metric tons in 1980 to 1.9 million metric tons in 1994, an increase of some 400 percent. Growth in China's imports almost mirror that for South Korea, having increased from 449 thousand metric tons in 1980 to 1.7 million metric tons for 1994.

Insular SE Asia has also had a significant upward trend in the import of wood-based pulps, from only 184 thousand metric tons in 1980 to over 1 million metric tons for 1994. Almost all of this growth, and the majority of imports, has been by Indonesia, with imports supplementing that country's leading role within the sub-region as the dominant pulp producer. Imports of pulp by Malaysia, Philippines, and Singapore have remained modest, with only Malaysia showing a doubling of import volume (to 94 thousand metric tons) in recent years.

The moderate exports of wood-based pulps from Asia Pacific are centered in Oceania-S. Pacific, where New Zealand has maintained exports averaging about 650 thousand cubic meters over the 1990's, with an export volume of 666 thousand metric tons in 1994. Insular SE Asia exports are led by Indonesia, with an export volume of 119 thousand metric tons in 1994 or only about 14 percent of the corresponding import volume for Indonesia.

As would be expected from the trends in volume of production and trade for wood-based pulps, the Asia Pacific region has a growing value deficit as well. As shown in Table 30, this deficit reached almost US$ 4 billion for 1994, well above the deficits of US$ 1.5 billion for 1980 and 1985. As with volume, North Asia accounts for both the greatest share of imports by value as well as the largest contribution to the overall Asia Pacific regional deficit. Only Oceania-S. Pacific has a positive trade balance for wood pulps.

Paper and paperboard

Wood-based pulps, together with other pulp fibers (including recycled wood fiber) constitute the basic raw material for the production of a wide variety of paper and paperboard products, including newsprint, printing and writing papers, and sanitary papers as primary products along with paperboards for carton stocks and other industrial uses. The Asia Pacific region has more than doubled the aggregate production of these items since 1980, up from a total of 31 million metric tons to over 75.5 million metric tons by 1994 (Figure 26 and Table 31). As with wood-based pulps, production of paper and paperboard in largely centered in the North Asia sub-region, where both Japan and China are major producers (Appendix 19). While Japan has maintained production at near 28.5 million metric tons since 1990, China has experienced an increase of nearly 10 million metric tons over this period, reaching a production of 26.9 million metric tons in 1994. South Korea has also had increased production, with a growth from 1.7 million metric tons in 1980 to over 6.4 million metric tons in 1994.

Insular SE Asia is the second leading producer sub-region for paper and paperboard, closely followed by the South Asia and Oceania-S. Pacific sub-regions. Insular SE Asia production has doubled since 1990, reaching over 4.2 million metric tons in 1994. Indonesia was the leading producer, at over 3 million metric tons, followed by Magnesia (574 thousand metric tons) and the Philippines (518 thousand metric tons). South Asia has seen an increase in production of paper and paperboard from 1.1 million metric tons to over 3.2 million metric tons from 1980 to 1994, led by India where production was 2.6 million metric tons in 1994. This was up only moderately from 1990, but almost a three-fold increase from 1980. Production in Oceania-S. Pacific was concentrated in Australia, where production has increased only moderately since 1990. Sub-region production grew from 2.1 million metric tons 1980 to 2.8 million metric tons in 1990, thereafter staying near this level and reaching 3.1 million metric tons for 1994. New Zealand production has also remained relatively flat, at about 825 thousand metric tons since 1990, reaching a high of 860 thousand metric tons in 1994.

Continental SE Asia is the smallest producer sub-region for paper and paperboard products in the Asia Pacific Region, with a modest but expanding production. This sub-region achieved an output of 1.8 million metric tons in 1994, almost double the level for 1990 and well above the 385 thousand metric tons produced in 1980. As with wood pulp, the sub-region was dominated by paper and paperboard production in Thailand which accounted for 1.7 million metric tons in 1994 or 92 percent of the sub-region total.

As shown in Figure 27, the Asia Pacific region has experienced a growing deficit by volume for paper and paperboard products, reaching 7 million metric tons for 1994. Imports have grown from 4.1 million metric tons in 1980 to almost 14 million metric tons for 1994. North Asia, Insular SE Asia and Oceania-S. Pacific sub-regions have accounted for the greatest share of rising imports.

Figure 26. Paper Production for the Asia-Pacific Region

Figure 27. Paper Net Trade for the Asia-Pacific Region by Volume

Table 31. Summary: Paper & Paperboard Production, Import, Export and Net Trade by Volume

Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Paper & Paperboard Production by Volume (1000 MT)
FAOSTAT	1980	1985	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	1,119	1,768	2,535	2,701	2,893	3,180	3,233
Continental Asia	385	541	950	1,077	1,276	1,450	1,807
North Asia	26,732	34,098	50,100	52,695	53,957	57,696	62,138
Insular SE Asia	668	831	2,038	2,606	3,554	3,877	4,243
Oceania-S. Pacific	2,104	2,316	2,768	2,833	2,728	2,875	3,092
Asia Pacific Total	31,008	39,554	58,391	61,912	64,408	69,078	74,513
Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Paper & Paperboard Imports by Volume (1000 MT)
FAOSTAT	1980	1985	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	429	467	394	552	647	519	634
Continental Asia	168	227	374	416	578	627	585
North Asia	1,925	2,630	4,575	5,380	6,901	7,642	9,109
Insular SE Asia	857	978	1,633	1,859	2,112	1,658	2,410
Oceania-S. Pacific	764	919	1,050	910	1,027	1,169	1,232
Asia Pacific Total	4,143	5,221	8,026	9,117	11,265	11,615	13,970
Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Paper & Paperboard Exports by Volume (1000 MT)
FAOSTAT	1980	1985	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	23	19	13	27	36	3	25
Continental Asia	15	8	61	50	74	123	186
North Asia	1,111	1,405	2,885	3,832	4,493	4,128	4,952
Insular SE Asia	62	119	477	685	801	876	1,111
Oceania-S. Pacific	418	353	499	542	640	689	645
Asia Pacific Total	1,629	1,904	3,935	5,136	6,044	5,819	6,919
Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Paper & Paperboard Net Trade by Volume (1000 MT)
FAOSTAT	1980	1985	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	-406	-448	-381	-525	-611	-516	-609
Continental Asia	-153	-219	-313	-366	-504	-504	-399
North Asia	-814	-1,225	-1,690	-1,548	-2,408	-3,514	-4,157
Insular SE Asia	-795	-859	-1,156	-1,174	-1,311	-782	-1,299
Oceania-S. Pacific	-346	-566	-551	-368	-387	-480	-587
Asia Pacific Total	-2,514	-3,317	-4,091	-3,981	-5,221	-5,796	-7,051

China and Hong Kong are the leading importers in North Asia, with imports of 4 million and 3 million metric tons in 1994 respectively. Japan is an important importer, at 1.4 million metric tons for 1994 but with relatively slow growing imports since 1990. China was the fastest growing importer, from 1.4 million metric tons in 1990 to the 4 million metric tons imported in 1994.

Insular SE Asia imports have been led by Singapore and Malaysia, which have experienced nearly equal trends since 1980. Sub-region imports increased from 857 thousand metric tons in 1980 to 2.4 million metric tons in 1994. Singapore accounted for 910 million metric tons, while Malaysia imported 878 thousand metric tons in 1994, both representing an increase of over three times levels of imports in 1980. Oceania, as the third leading importing sub-region, saw imports of paper and paperboard almost double since 1980, from 764 thousand metric tons to over 1.2 million metric tons. Imports were heavily dominated by Australia, accounting for over 1 million metric tons in 1994.

Exports of paper and paperboard have averaged about half the level of imports for the Asia Pacific region 1990, totaling 6.9 million metric tons in 1994. Almost 5 million metric tons were exported from North Asia, primarily by China (1.2 million MT), Hong Kong (1.5 million MT), and South Korea (1.3 million MT). Hong Kong and South Korea exports were up significantly from 1990, while China's exports grew more modestly. Japan experienced declining exports of 977 thousand metric tons in 1994 after a high of 1.2 million metric tons exported in 1992. Insular SE Asia was the second leading sub-region in terms of exports of paper and paperboard, with sub-region exports of 1.1 million metric tons in 1994, slightly more than double the level of exports for 1990. Most of the exports were from Indonesia (696 thousand metric tons in 1994) followed by Singapore (325 thousand metric tons, 1994). Indonesia was the only net exporter by volume for paper and paperboard products within this sub-region.

Although much smaller in volume, exports from Continental SE Asia grew by a factor of three from 1990, reaching 186 thousand metric tons in 1994 which was still well below imports. Most exports originated in Thailand, where exports expanded from 52 thousand metric tons in 1990 to 183 thousand metric tons for 1994. In spite of this trend, Thailand has remained the largest net importer of paper and paperboard within the sub-region. South Asia is not a significant exporter of paper and paperboard, with occasional exports from India determining the sub-region's total.

Trade in paper and paperboard products by value is summarized in Figure 28 and Table 32, and closely reflects the trends in trade by volume. All sub-regions of Asia Pacific are net importers by value, with a deficit of US$ 4.5 billion for 1994, up significantly from US$ 1.5 billion in 1980 and US$ 3.1 billion for 1990. North Asia, followed by Insular SE Asia and Oceania are the largest net importers by value. China, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Australia are the primary net importers. Virtually all of Oceania-S. Pacific are net importers with the exception of New Zealand. South Asia, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, continue to experience growing deficits in paper and paperboard trade by value.

Figure 28. Paper Net Trade for the Asia-Pacific Region by Value

Table 32. Summary: Paper & Paperboard Import, Export and Net Trade by Value

Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Paper & Paperboard Imports by Value (1000 US$)
FAOSTAT	1980	1985	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	229,787	275,814	354,181	403,445	436,093	315,168	400,889
Continental Asia	111,980	144,162	325,834	343,578	463,649	439,207	575,161
North Asia	1,355,803	1,608,763	3,586,300	3,881,247	4,645,848	4,634,783	5,847,000
Insular SE Asia	493,691	570,003	1,288,452	1,407,575	1,442,300	1,064,653	1,599,845
Oceania-S. Pacific	474,521	597,052	1,008,369	912,290	982,988	1,061,565	1,156,827
Asia Pacific Total	2,665,782	3,195,794	6,563,136	6,948,135	7,970,878	7,515,376	9,579,722
Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Paper & Paperboard Exports by Value (1000 US$)
FAOSTAT	1980	1985	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	11,933	9,004	11,908	19,750	28,163	3,155	14,912
Continental Asia	9,763	8,678	53,113	53,412	64,490	73,590	162,821
North Asia	927,090	981,864	2,690,163	3,299,977	3,760,947	3,146,218	3,741,712
Insular SE Asia	35,033	110,886	413,299	492,993	541,645	524,775	785,074
Oceania-S. Pacific	172,114	150,074	274,543	295,099	344,104	342,047	361,690
Asia Pacific Total	1,155,933	1,260,506	3,443,026	4,161,231	4,739,349	4,089,785	5,066,209
Asia Pacific Region - Summary: Paper & Paperboard Net Trade by Value (1000 US$)
FAOSTAT	1980	1985	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994
South Asia	-217,854	-266,810	-342,273	-383,695	-407,930	-312,013	-385,977
Continental Asia	-102,217	-135,484	-272,721	-290,166	-399,159	-365,617	-412,340
North Asia	-428,713	-626,899	-896,137	-581,270	-884,901	-1,488,565	-2,105,288
Insular SE Asia	-458,658	-459,117	-875,153	-914,582	-900,655	-539,878	-814,771
Oceania-S. Pacific	-302,407	-446,978	-733,826	-617,191	-638,884	-719,518	-795,137
Asia Pacific Total	-1,509,849	-1,935,288	-3,120,110	-2,786,904	-3,231,529	-3,425,591	-4,513,513