Volume of Wood Harvested

IBISWorld forecasts the volume of wood harvested to increase by 4.8% in 2024-25 to reach 28.4 million cubic metres. This includes products such as logs; sawn timber; and wood-panel. A sustained recovery in demand for New Zealand’s timber products is expected to support growth in the volume of wood harvested during the year. Rising demand in export markets for sawn timber and woodchips as well as growing business confidence in New Zealand is set to support overall growth in wood harvesting activity.

Over the past five years, the volume of wood harvested has slumped due to troubles in both export and local demand. The COVID-19 pandemic tanked the volume of wood harvested in 2019-20, with this trend reversing the following year. With almost a third of forestry output eventually destined for China, weak construction activity in that country is has been a key determinant of lower wood volumes harvested in recent years. The number of dwelling consents issued has plummeted over the past few years, exacerbating drops in the volume of harvested wood. China has become a vital market over the period, accounting for over 50% of forestry product exports since 2018-19. This is largely due to China’s ban on commercial logging of their natural forests, which accelerated demand for the import of logs.