Australian timber industry news

Sprouted from seeds that journeyed around the Moon aboard Apollo 14 in February 1971, “Moon Trees” planted across the United States endure as living reminders of Apollo-era’s part of a national STEM Engagement and conservation education initiative. Source: Timberbiz Apollo 14 launched in the late afternoon of 13 January 1971 on what was to be the third trip to the lunar surface. Five days later Alan Shepard and Edgar Mitchell walked on the Moon while Stuart Roosa, a former US Forest Service (USFS) smoke jumper, orbited above in the command module. Packed in small containers in Roosa’s personal kit were hundreds of tree seeds, part of a joint NASA/USFS project. Upon return to Earth, the seeds were germinated by the Forest Service. Known as the Apollo “Moon Trees”, the resulting seedlings were planted throughout the United States (often as part of the nation’s bicentennial in 1976) and the world. They stand as a tribute to astronaut Roosa and the Apollo program. The project began after Roosa was chosen for the Apollo 14 mission. Ed Cliff, Chief of the Forest Service, knew of Stuart Roosa from his days as a smokejumper and contacted him about bringing seeds into space. Stan Krugman of the Forest Service was put in charge of the project and selected the seeds for the experiment. Seeds were chosen from five different types of trees: loblolly pine, sycamore, sweetgum, redwood, and Douglas fir. The seeds were classified and sorted and sealed in small plastic bags that were stored in a metal canister. Control seeds were kept on Earth for later comparison. Roosa carried possibly 2,000 or more seeds in the canister in his personal kit, a small canvas pouch that stayed with him as he orbited the Moon in the command module “Kitty Hawk” in February, 1971. Unfortunately, the seed bags burst open during the decontamination procedures after their return to Earth, and the seeds were scattered about the chamber and exposed to vacuum, and it was thought they might not be viable. Stan Krugman collected the seeds and an attempt at germinating some of the seeds was made in Houston. Somewhat surprisingly, it proved successful and the seeds started growing, but they did not survive long because the facilities there were inadequate. A year later the remaining seeds were sent to the southern Forest Service station in Gulfport, Mississippi (sycamore, loblolly pine, and sweetgum) and to the western station in Placerville, California (redwood and Douglas fir) to attempt germination. Many of the seeds, and later cuttings, were successful and grew into viable seedlings. Some of these were planted with their Earth-bound counterparts as controls, (as might be expected, after over forty years there is no discernible difference) but most were given away in 1975 and 1976 to many state forestry organizations to be planted as part of the nation’s bicentennial celebration. These trees were southern and western species, so not all states received trees. A loblolly pine was planted at the White House, and trees were planted in Brazil, Switzerland, and presented to the Emperor of Japan, among others. Trees have also been planted in Washington Square in Philadelphia, at Valley Forge, in the International Forest of Friendship, and at various universities and NASA centres, reportedly in 40 different states.

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Understanding where agricultural commodities come from, and how they move through supply chains, is increasingly important for companies, public institutions and other actors involved in trade and due diligence. Source: Timberbiz WHIMO — short for “What Is My Origin” — is an open-source app designed to help supply-chain actors record commodity transactions and exchange basic traceability information as goods move from origin to destination. The tool focuses on a simple idea: when a commodity changes hands, relevant information should be able to move with it. In WHIMO, users record transactions such as purchases, collections, sales or deliveries. These records include basic details such as the commodity, volume, date and, where available, farm geolocation data. WHIMO is designed for supply-chain actors such as cooperatives, local aggregators, transporters, processors, traders and exporters. Farmers are not required to use the app directly, although they may provide geolocation information, for example through a QR code. The tool is available in four languages: English, French, Spanish and Portuguese, and can be downloaded on Android and iOS devices. WHIMO is particularly relevant in supply chains where information is fragmented, incomplete or held by different actors. The tool allows users to start recording transactions even when not all information is available. It also makes traceability gaps visible, helping users understand where in-formation is complete, partial or missing. WHIMO does not assess deforestation risk, evaluate legality or guarantee compliance with regulations. Its role is more specific: to support the collection, transfer and review of traceability data in a practical and consistent way. This information may then support broader due diligence processes, depending on users’ needs and responsibilities. WHIMO includes mobile and web components. Transactions are recorded through the mobile app, while the web platform allows users to review da-ta, explore basic analytics and download records for further use. The tool is open source, which means that institutions or organisations can also adapt the source code to develop their own version, depending on their context and data governance needs. More information here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVpQCSRwP-8

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Stora Enso has completed negotiations on the permanent closure of its Veitsiluoto sawmill in Kemi, Finland. Sawmill production in Northern Finland will be centralised from Veitsiluoto to the company’s other sawmills.  As a result of the decision, approximately 60 people will be made redundant. Source: Timberbiz In August 2026, Stora Enso announced that it was planning to permanently discontinue production at its Veitsiluoto sawmill and centralise production in Northern Finland to Stora Enso’s other sawmills. The reason for the change is the need to improve the efficiency, profitability, and competitiveness of sawmill operations in Northern Finland. The profitability of the sawmill business is expected to continue challenging due to, among others, the high cost of logs. Production at Veitsiluoto sawmill has been cur-tailed temporarily since early August, and production will now be discontinued permanently. “The decision to close Veitsiluoto sawmill was difficult. I want to emphasize that the Veitsiluoto team has done excellent work, especially in safety. We will work closely with Stora Enso’s other sites, the employment area of Sea Lapland, and other stakeholders to support our employees in re-employment. “We offer, among other things, relocation services and re-employment coaching. In addition, we offer support measures for those who wish to transfer to another work location,” said Matti Lielahti, Head of Stora Enso Business Unit Oulu. In recent years, Stora Enso has expanded its operations in Northern Finland. The company will continue to deliver high-quality redwood products from its other sawmills for demanding applications. The closure will have only a minor impact on the Business Unit’s wood supply and consumption in Northern Finland. There is demand for high-quality logs at the Oulu, Oulainen, and Kalajoki sawmills as well as for chips and pulpwood at the Oulu board mill. After the change, Stora Enso will employ approximately 840 people at Business Unit Oulu’s board mill, sawmills in Oulu, Oulainen, and Kalajoki, and port operations.

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Farmer lobby group TasFarmers says government documents revealing the agricultural assessment for the purchase of Rushy Lagoon understated the regional impact of the acquisition. Source: The Weekly Times Rushy Lagoon, Tasmania’s largest farm, was earlier this year sold to the Tasmania Natural Asset Trust – backed by investment from UK forestry and farmland investor Gresham House and others – for $142m, with plans to plant 12 million radiata pine seedlings across 9000ha of the farm. Government documents relating to the agricultural assessment conducted in regards to the sale were released this week and refer to ABS data from 2020-21 that shows across 21,723ha, Rushy Lagoon supported 3300 beef cattle and 1800 dairy cattle, representing 4.65% of beef cattle and 4.52% of dairy cattle in the Scottsdale-Bridport SA2 region. But TasFarmers chief executive Nathan Calman said that at its peak in 2018 the property was estimated to be running 7000 sheep, 8000 beef cattle and 4000 dairy cattle, and that “under the right ownership and management, this is an extremely productive agricultural property”. “Its size and scale mean its contribution extends well beyond the farm gate, supporting the viability of agricultural businesses and services across the region,” he said. In its declaration for the plantation forestry project on the location, Delta Forestry, on behalf of Gresham House and the Tasmanian Natural Asset Trust, assessed that removal of the property’s dairy herd and beef herd would reduce Tasmania’s farmgate value by approximately $7m for dairy and $6m for beef. The documents reveal First Assistant Secretary, Sustainability, Climate and Strategy Division at DAFF Nick Blong “does not intend to make an adverse finding”. “This is because, in my opinion, the following information before me does not suggest that if the project went ahead there would be an undesirable impact on agricultural production in the region where the project would be located,” his correspondence shows. Mr Calman said the process used to assess the project “does not adequately reflect the real outcomes for North East Tasmania”. “The current guidelines provide that where a property is not operating at its potential, ABARES regional data can be used to assess whether conversion to carbon farming will affect the agricultural production of a region,” he said. “Based on 2018 levels of production, it would be fair to estimate that the conversion will result in a reduction of over 10% of dairy and beef outputs, which is significant and should be grounds for the decision being reversed by the Minister or their delegate.” Mr Calman said other concerns over the purchase include whether supply chains exist to support the planting, harvesting and sawmilling of timber, as well as change in the proposed future use of the property. “Given the scale of Rushy Lagoon and the public funding involved, there needs to be much greater certainty and transparency about the long-term plan for the property,” he said.

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The future of Australia’s housing will rely on advanced manufacturing, driving prefabrication solutions, anchored in timber-based building systems, especially engineered wood products produced from the nation’s plantation resources. Source: Timberbiz That future will be the centrepiece of The Precinct Investor Symposium in Melbourne on 14 October 2026, where three internationally recognised leaders in plantation market analysis, engineered wood manufacturing and architectural design will outline how Australia can build a domestic value chain linking plantations, products and prefabrication. IndustryEdge Managing Director Tim Woods, Raute engineered wood products specialist Roumiana Vassileva, and Melbourne School of Design Director Professor Dan Hill will deliver a keynote program examining the changing face of Australia’s plantation industry and the opportunity to connect this established resource with the way homes will be designed and built in the future. Tim Woods is one of Australia’s leading strategists in the fibre value-chain. For more than half a decade his focus has been on transforming the plantation fibre supply chain in the Green Triangle to produce high value engineered wood products. This work already includes the development of bluegum glulam (GLT) and the rapidly developing opportunity to manufacture Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL). Heading an industry collaboration, Woods now leads The Precinct development, which will manufacture LVL, GLT, a range of other timber-based building products and prefabricated building components, at world scale in Portland, in south west Victoria. He will outline The Precinct concept, manufacturing platforms and opportunities. “Australia imports enormous amounts of engineered wood products and other building materials. We have to turn that around, reduce our wood fibre exports and rapidly increase our sovereign manufacturing to increase national resilience in housing,” Mr Woods said. “This transformation is urgent, to support Australia’s evolving transition towards more industrialised and prefabricated solutions that can increase housing supply and quality.” Roumiana Vassileva is a global market intelligence executive with 25-plus years of experience in engineered wood products, spanning production, operations, sales and marketing. For 15 years, she has led market intelligence and business development at Raute, a global technology leader in peeling-based technology solutions. Her perspective connects LVL’s material efficiency, advanced technology and mar-ket evolution with automation, prefabrication and modular construction, revealing the strategic leap from producing engineered wood to building scalable, globally competitive construction systems. She brings a global lens to the opportunities, challenges and competitive dynamics shaping Australia’s engineered wood future. Professor Dan Hill brings an international perspective on design, cities, technology and the built environment. His keynote will explore how prefabrication, new materials and industrialised construction could help Australia rethink not only how homes are built, but how we design the places in which peo-ple live. Alongside other expert speakers and panellists, Woods, Vassileva and Hill will draw the connections from plantation fibre resources, to world-scale advanced manufacturing of engineered wood products, to the prefabricated transformation of Australia’s dwellings and built environment. “The opportunity is much bigger than forestry or manufacturing in isolation,” Mr Woods said. “Australia has the ingredients it requires to increase sovereign housing supply capability. The Precinct is about bringing those pieces together and creating a new and more resilient domestic value chain from plantations to products to prefabrication.” The Precinct Investor Symposium will be held in Melbourne on Wednesday, 14 October 2026. To learn more visit www.theprecinctportland.com.au

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Three of this year’s finalists – the New Sydney Fish Market, the Adelaide Aquatic Centre and The Forest at the University of Tasmania, have been shortlisted for the World Architecture Festival, which opens in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on 18 November. Source: Timberbiz They are among 20 Australian projects on a festival shortlist of 416, drawn from more than 630 entries, and in each of them timber is doing structural work. The Fish Market, a finalist in the Commercial Building category, sits on Blackwattle Bay beneath what its entry describes as Australia’s largest engineered timber roof, a canopy of 594 glulam beams spanning 20,000 square metres and storing more than 1,000 tonnes of biogenic carbon. The Adelaide Aquatic Centre, a finalist in the new Sports and Recreation category, carries 324 cubic metres of glulam and 108 cubic metres of cross-laminated timber, with beams up to 37 metres long, supplied full length, spanning the aquatic halls without a column. The Forest, a finalist in both Public Building and Sustainability, retained 60% of the structures already on its site, framed what was new in Tasmanian Oak, and cut upfront carbon by 40% before a single new material was specified. Two of the three are also in contention at the National Architecture Awards, which will be announced in Brisbane on 29 October, with the Fish Market shortlisted for Commercial Architecture and The Forest for both Educational Architecture and Sustainable Architecture.

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A new radiata pine breeding seed orchard in North Canterbury, New Zealand, has moved from promise to delivery giving shareholders a clear path to faster deployment of elite genetics across Australasian production forests. Source: Timberbiz Earlier in 2026, Radiata Pine Breeding Company Limited (RPBC) invested in 23 additional hectares near Amberley to address the time constraints involved with the industry’s access to improved pollen and scion material. As New Zealand’s only specialist radiata pine breeding company, RPBC sits at a critical point in the forestry value supply chain. Its work supports growers, seed producers and processors through 16 shareholders that collectively own or manage 1.6 million hectares of commercial forestry plantations, across New Zealand and east-ern and south-eastern Australia. The new property will transform RPBC’s operating scale. Its breeding and archiving programme used to cover six hectares at Amberley, holding about 9,000 individual trees across 500–600 genotypes. The new orchard (over time) will lift that capacity to 34,000 trees with the added security of irrigation. In due course, its former six-hectare site will be sold. The first two hectares at the new property have been planted with 1625 grafted scions which include approximately 250 genotypes. RPBC’s board – together with RPBC’s management team – inspected the site late in August. RPBC Chairman Ross Dickson (Forestry Corporation of NSW) who travelled from Sydney, said the strong establishment of the scions was another important step in RPBC’s bigger picture. He confirmed that the key driver for the investment is to increase the deployment of genetic gain from the breeding programme into production forests at a commercial scale. “We are already seeing early flower and pollen production from the grafts,” Mr Dickson said. “That was expected given Amberley’s environment, soil type and the performance of other seed orchards in the area but seeing it this early is a powerful indication that the site is right. “It means for both the shareholders and other stakeholders that RPBC is well on the way to accelerating the production of genetically improved material with the additional scale of this new property. Bearing in mind we only realise the value of superior genetics when they are deployed.” RPBC plans to plant as much as possible, depending on planting availability through 2027. The plantings are being staggered under the supervision or RPBC’s Breeding Orchard and Field Trials Manager Will Stout, to take advantage of emerging superior genotypes. A mixed-age planting plan also allows for a steady and diverse stream of pollen and cones for industry. Mr Dickson said the investment, along with genomic selection, will ultimately maximise genetic gain, reduce operational risk and cut the time lag between breeding advances and their deployment into forests. “It will be a vehicle for unlocking the important genetics we have in RPBC’s pantry and within three to five years, we expect the August 2026 plantings to be producing increased volumes of pollen and scion material for seed orchards.” He added that there is much to celebrate within the move as RPBC’s strong scientific work can now be effectively transformed into practical progress. “This is the step from the lab bench into the forest,” Mr Dickson said. “Scaling up the new orchard will tackle the shortage of pollen and scion material faced by large seed-orchard producers and accelerate the flow of improved genetics into commercial plantations.

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Bevan Eatts Western Australia’s Shadow Minister for Forestry has accused the Cook Labor Government of risking the future of Western Australia’s native sandalwood industry by pursuing major changes without proper consultation with the people who have spent decades building it. Source: Timberbiz “Today I raised the issue in Parliament through a grievance to the Government, outlining concerns about plans to remove the Forest Products Commission (FPC) from commercial wild sandalwood operations, and replace the existing model with a licensing system, administered by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA),” Mr Eatts said. Mr Eatts said the proposal threatened one of WA’s oldest export industries and a sustainable regional sector that supports jobs, Indigenous contractors, pastoral businesses and international markets. “If I can make the time as Shadow Minister to meet stakeholders, travel to Kalgoorlie, visit operations and listen to harvesters, processors, distillers and exporters, why hasn’t the Minister done the same before making decisions that could destroy another sustainable WA industry?” Mr Eatts said. “This industry has spent decades building its reputation, international customers and the WA sandalwood brand. Once those markets and relationships are lost, you don’t simply get them back.” Mr Eatts said industry participants remained concerned about the future of the integrated supply chain currently coordinated by the FPC, including harvesting, certification, traceability, processing, market access and regeneration. “A licence does not replace a supply chain,” Mr Eatts said. “You cannot take away the structure supporting harvesters, Indigenous contractors, pastoral businesses, processors and exporters and expect everyone to fend for themselves. “This is also a renewable resource with regeneration built into its commercial model through Operation Woylie. If the Government removes the FPC, who coordinates that regeneration, who supplies the seed and who pays for it?” Mr Eatts said uncertainty surrounding the Government’s plans was al-ready affecting customer confidence, with industry warning international buyers were considering alternative supply arrangements beyond December 2026. “This is exactly why you consult before making the decision, not after the damage has been done,” Mr Eatts said. “WA has something special: a sustainable native industry, a premium product and a brand recognised around the world. The Minister still has the opportunity to sit down with the people who built it and find a sustainable way forward. “I’ve gone out and listened to them. Why hasn’t the Minister?”

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AFPA has welcomed legislation passed by Federal Parliament this week to establish a single, specialist trade remedies body to better support Australian timber manufacturers. Source: Timberbiz The Customs Amendment (Safeguard Inquiries) Bill 2026 transfers responsibility for conducting safeguard inquiries from the Productivity Commission to the Anti-Dumping Commission, which will be renamed the Australian Trade Remedies Commission (ATRC). “We sincerely thank the Federal Government for strengthening Australia’s trade remedy arrangements and recognising the need for greater specialist capability,” AFPA Acting Chief Executive Officer Richard Hyett said. “Moving responsibility for safeguard actions from the Productivity Commission into a single specialist agency – the ATRC – will help to improve the capabilities and effectiveness of the overall trade remedies system. “Consolidating responsibility for all trade remedies functions within the ATRC will also enhance regulatory efficiency, streamline processes and provide Australian manufacturers and consumers with a single expert body.” Mr Hyett said the widespread support for the legislation demonstrated these changes and their objectives have been well received across industry and other stakeholders. “In a recent submission, we said there must be a clear and accessible pathway for Australian industries to bring forward cases to the ATRC when they believe they are being harmed by unfair or damaging trade practices,” Mr Hyett said. “A well-functioning trade remedies system is vital for Australian manufacturers operating in globally competitive markets and facing growing international trade pressures. “However, we remain concerned that the ATRC must be provided with adequate resources to fulfil its expanded remit and undertake its responsibilities effectively. Furthermore, international trading systems are evolving rapidly due to significant geopolitical uncertainty. Australia must be vigilant and look to continue to evolve our trade remedies system to meet the increased risks of the changing landscape. “We look forward to working with the Government and the new ATRC to ensure Australia has a strong, responsive and accessible trade remedies system that sup-ports local manufacturing and a level playing field.”

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The NSW Government is progressing its alignment with the new Commonwealth Government environment laws that affect the regulation of forestry operations by tasking the NSW Natural Resources Commission (NRC) to develop a Strategic Assessment for forestry operations in NSW. Source: Timberbiz The assessment will be undertaken under Part 10 of the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The Commission will lead the assessment in collaboration with relevant NSW agencies and in conjunction with the Australian Government. The assessment by the NRC will cover public native forestry, plantation and private native forestry operations across forests sitting within NSW’s defined Regional Forest Agreement boundaries. The long-standing exemption for forestry operations between the Commonwealth and NSW across large areas of NSW forests, known as the Regional Forest Agreements (RFA), will cease on 1 July 2027 following the introduction of new environment legislation by the Commonwealth in November last year. Reforms to the Commonwealth’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act last year introduced a new era for environmental protection and improved productivity in Australia. “The Albanese Government congratulates the Minns Government on reaching this important milestone, which will deliver better protections for the environment and more certainty for industry,” Federal Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt said. “As part of our landmark national environmental law reforms passed by the Australian Parliament at the end of last year, RFA forestry will need to meet the same Federal environmental requirements as other industries. “We’re providing up to $8.5 million to NSW to ensure it’s meeting national benchmarks, through the development of landscape-scale approval pathways like the strategic assessment. “We believe in a strong and environmentally sustainable future for the New South Wales forestry industry, and we look forward to continuing work with the Minns Government on this.” The RFAs in NSW cover forests in Eden, the North-East and Southern NSW and set obligations and commitments for forest management. The assessment will consider the impacts from forestry operations on nationally significant animals, plants, habitats and places to ensure they are appropriately identified and managed. From 1 July 2027, forestry operations taking place in RFAs will need to comply with the same rules and standards as other industries covered under the EPBC Act. The NSW Government is now releasing for public consultation the draft terms of reference for the strategic assessment. Once the strategic assessment is complete, the NSW Government will work on a long-term bilateral agreement with the Australian Government to accredit NSW forestry operations. The Minns Labor Government is continuing to develop a Forestry Industry Action Plan to ensure a sustainable forestry industry that is aligned with environmental and economic priorities. Consultation commenced on 18 September 2026 and finishes on 16 October 2026. The assessment will be informed by scientific evidence, spatial and environmental data, and stakeholder input. The Australian and NSW governments have released a draft Terms of Reference outlining the proposed scope, process, information requirements and expected outputs for the assessment. Have your say at https://www.nsw.gov.au/have-your-say/strategic-assessment-of-forestry-rfas

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Sumitomo Forestry has unveiled the latest exhibition renderings of the Sumitomo Forestry Village Exhibition, 100 Forests, in conjunction with the six-month countdown to the International Horticultural Expo 2027 (GREENxEXPO 2027), scheduled to run from 19 March to 26 September 2027 in Yokohama, Japan. Source: Timberbiz Based on the company’s business activities centered on forests and trees for over 330 years since its founding, the Sumitomo Forestry Village Exhibition, 100 Forests, seeks to provide visitors an opportunity to understand the diverse ways forests, trees and humans are interconnected. Under the concept, “100 EYES, 100 FORESTS” (embodying the idea that a forest changes depending on the viewer, offering countless possibilities), the Sumitomo Forestry Village Exhibition, 100 Forests, provides an immersive experience exploring forests and trees from multiple perspectives. The Sumitomo Forestry Village Exhibition, 100 Forests, guides visitors through an exhibition space that includes a tunnel, theatre, museum and second-floor deck to experience the diverse values and possibilities of forests and trees. Visitors to the exhibition will first enter a tunnel that leads to a forest. The journey begins with a seemingly contradictory question: How can we protect forests while growing and logging trees? In the theatre and the museum, visitors will discover how forests are a treasure trove of life for a diverse range of living creatures. They will then learn how trees are planted, cultivated, and take the form of wood that supports everyday life. Beyond that are examples of the possibilities wood holds in the future in such areas as energy and biotechnology. At the end of the tour on the second-floor deck, instead of looking up at trees, visitors will get a bird’s eye view for an entirely different perspective of forests and trees that may bring new discoveries. GREENxEXPO 2027 will be the first international exposition that Sumitomo is participating in independently and it will showcase its initiatives and future challenges centred on the Wood Cycle. At the same time, it will provide a diverse range of perspectives on forests in the hopes that visitors will encounter the countless possibilities that forests and trees have to offer and discover a forest of their own.

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UK timber and panel product imports remained below last year’s levels during the first half of 2026, with weaker softwood and plywood volumes weighing on the market, according to the latest statistics from Timber Development UK (TDUK). Source: Timberbiz The combined volume of the UK’s main timber and panel product imports was 3.9% lower in H1 2026 than during the same period in 2025. Solid wood imports fell by 4.7%, while panel product imports were 2.5% lower. After a poor start to the year, import volumes improved during March and April, with April volumes sitting 4% higher than a year earlier. This improvement was short-lived, however, with volumes falling 8% year-on-year in May and 3% in June. Softwood, which accounts for more than 60% of all timber and panel imports, was a major contributor to the overall decline. Import volumes fell 4.9% to 2.898 million m³ during the first six months of the year. The latest TDUK statistics note this weaker performance of softwood imports amid the backdrop of falling UK housing starts. Following historically low levels in 2024 and 2025, the Construction Products Association is forecasting a further 9% reduction in housing starts during 2026. Meanwhile, hardwood imports were 1.5% lower than H1 2025, reflecting weaker volumes of temperate and mixed hardwoods. Tropical hardwood moved in the opposite direction, increasing by 3.5%. The largest falls were seen in plywood. Total plywood import volumes were 13.6% lower, with hardwood plywood down 7.4% and softwood plywood falling 28.8%. Lower hardwood plywood volumes were mainly due to reduced supply from China, while the fall in softwood plywood was driven largely by Brazil. Brazilian volumes fell by around 60,000m³, or 39%, during H1 2026. The picture across other panel product imports was more positive. Particleboard imports increased by 4.6%, with growth from Germany and Belgium and a strong increase in volumes from Luxembourg. Imports from China also increased during the period. OSB imports rose by 2.3%, while MDF recorded the largest percentage increase among the main timber and panel product categories, with volumes up 13.1%. Chinese MDF volumes doubled compared with H1 2025. Engineered wood product imports were 13% lower overall. CLT imports fell 60.7% and glulam volumes were down 17%, while LVL imports increased by 8.5%. I-beam imports remained virtually unchanged from the same period last year. Prices also changed during H1. While softwood prices increased overall following rises during Q1, they fell back during Q2 while still remaining above year-earlier levels. Plywood prices generally fell, including an 8% reduction in the average price of hardwood plywood from China and an annual average reduction of around 12% for softwood plywood from Brazil. The downward movement in hardwood plywood prices stopped abruptly in May and June, when average prices moved higher as substantially lower volumes of cheaper Chinese material were imported. Nick Boulton, Head of Technical and Trade Policy at Timber Development UK, said: “The first half of 2026 presents a mixed picture for UK timber imports, but the headline position is that overall volumes remain weak and below the levels seen in previous years. “Softwood imports were down by almost 5%, while plywood volumes fell more sharply, particularly softwood plywood. At the same time there were areas of growth, with higher volumes of particleboard, OSB and MDF, and LVL imports also moving ahead of last year. “We have also seen some changes in pricing during the first half of the year. Softwood prices fell back during Q2 following increases earlier in the year, while the reduction in lower-priced Chinese hardwood plywood imports in May and June resulted in average prices moving higher.” One brighter spot in TDUK’s latest figures is the performance of UK timber and panel exports. Although export volumes remain small compared with imports, they have been on a growth path over recent years. Softwood exports increased by 24% in the six months to June compared with H1 2025, continuing the growth seen over the past few years. Ireland remains by far the largest destination for UK-produced softwood, accounting for around 93% of exports. MDF exports increased by 46% compared with H1 2025, reversing the downward trend recorded over the previous four years. Particleboard exports were 1.4% higher. OSB exports were slightly below H1 2025 overall following a poor first quarter, but Q2 volumes were 21% higher than during the same quarter last year. Boulton added: “Exports remain tiny in comparison with the volumes of timber and panels imported into the UK, but they are a valuable proportion of the output from UK-based producers and have shown good volume growth over recent years. The 24% increase in softwood exports during the first half of 2026 continues that growth path, while the 46% rise in MDF exports is another positive feature within the latest figures.” TDUK members can sign in and read the full report on the TDUK website. Timber Development UK is the largest, most comprehensive timber supply chain body in the UK, and remains the single source for knowledge on all things timber, from sawmill to specifier and everything in between.

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As Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney prepares to address the European Parliament and advance a strengthened Canada–European Union security and trade partnership, Forest Products Association of Canada is urging Canada and the EU to use this moment to address existing trade barriers, including the European Deforestation-free Product Regulation scheduled to take effect later this year. Source: Timberbiz The association says that no one disputes the intent of EUDR, and Canada and the EU share a commitment to sustainable trade, climate action, and responsible natural resource development. But it believes the current EUDR approach fails to recognize the robust frameworks governing forestry in Canada, including third-party forest certification, Indigenous leadership in Canadian forestry, and the importance of active forest management to address catastrophic wildfire risks. The association says that in its current form, the regulation risks imposing tens of millions of dollars of unnecessary costs on Canadian producers, small woodlot owners, and integrated forest product supply chains without delivering any real benefit. It says requirements related to plot-level traceability, large data uploads, and treatment of forest residuals are creating practical challenges for low-risk exporters like Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, and creates more operational uncertainty for forestry businesses, employees, and contractors. Similar concerns exist for Canada’s soy and cattle industries. “The Canada–EU relationship has long been built on trust, shared values, and a commitment to rules-based trade, and we have an opportunity before us to make this connection even stronger,” said Derek Nighbor, President and CEO of FPAC. “As Canada and Europe deepen cooperation on trade, security, energy, housing, and climate action, it is essential that the EUDR be implemented in a way that recognizes Canada’s long-standing commitment to sustainable forest management, its world-leading position in third-party forest certification, and our growing wildfire risks,” he said. “Canada’s forest sector supports the EU’s commitment to combatting global deforestation and sustainability and is seeking an evidence-based approach to achieve this goal.” FPAC wants EU decision-makers to adopt targeted simplification measures for low-risk trading partners, including recognition of negligible-risk countries, streamlined geolocation and traceability requirements, and practical treatment of forest residuals and by-products that are already part of circular, sustainable forest product value chains. “Getting this right, matters,” Mr Nighbor said. “A workable EUDR can promote sustainable forest management, enable reliable trade, support climate action, and accelerate the affordable housing agenda. “And it can be effective in addressing global deforestation. We look forward to seeing a more durable path forward for Canadian exporters, European customers, and the thousands of families connected to Canadian forestry,” he said.

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New Forests founder Dr David Brand will headline an investor symposium hosted by The Precinct in Melbourne in October as investors explore an initial $200 million-plus opportunity to establish large-scale engineered wood product manufacturing in Victoria’s Green Triangle. Source: Timberbiz Dr Brand will deliver a keynote address on 14 October 2026, drawing on more than four decades of experience across forestry investment, forest management and natural capital. Russ Hughes, chair of The Precinct and former CEO of Australian Bluegum Plantations, will host the invite-only event as investors assess the commercial pathway, market opportunity and investment case for the world scale Precinct development, proposed for Portland in south-west Victoria. The proposed initial stage, earmarked close to port and transport infrastructure, represents more than $200 million in investment and would establish a large-scale Glue-Laminated Timber (GLT) manufacturing facility, supported by a state-of-the-art sawmill and major log merchandising facility. It will use locally grown plantation hardwood, creating an estimated 74 permanent jobs and anchoring future stages of engineered wood product manufacturing, including Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) and prefabricated building component manufacturing. The market opportunity is significant, with Australia importing close to $1 billion of engineered wood products and wood panels each year, including significant volumes of LVL, GLT and plywood used extensively in housing construction. The invite-only event marks a return to the investment origins of Dr Brand’s work in Australia. He founded New Forests in 2005 with a single forestry asset in the Green Triangle with the goal of bringing institutional capital into the plantation sector. The business has since grown into a global operation with $10.6 billion in assets under management with a portfolio covering plantations, timber processing, agriculture, conservation, carbon and natural capital. From the outset, Dr Brand recognised that the value of a forest extended well beyond the sale of wood fibre. His work helped advance a more sophisticated view of forestry as an asset class, capable of delivering additional value through carbon, biodiversity, conservation and broader landscape outcomes. Just as carbon created a new way to value plantations, Dr Brand will explore the next evolution of the sector, transforming established plantation resources, traditionally exported as raw fibre, to be the feedstock for higher-value, domestically produced engineered wood products and prefabricated construction systems – markets experiencing strong domestic demand and constrained supply. The symposium follows the completion of the Hardwood Timber Manufacturing Hub feasibility study, which confirmed the technical and commercial pathway for the initial stage of The Precinct development. The Precinct Chair Russ Hughes said the symposium came at pivotal moment for investors and the region’s forestry sector. “Victoria has an established plantation resource, but too much of its potential value leaves the region before it is converted into higher-value products,” Mr Hughes said. “The opportunity is to connect the resource we already grow with engineered wood manufacturing and prefabrication capability, so more of the economic value, skilled employment and industrial capability is retained in Australia, helping to meet our growing housing needs. “Dr Brand has been at the forefront of forestry investment for decades. His experience, including the early New Forests investment in the Green Triangle, gives him a particularly relevant perspective on the opportunity now emerging for this globally recognised region.” Under the theme “From Plantation to Product to Prefabrication”, the invitation-only symposium will bring together institutional investors, industry leaders, government representatives and project partners to consider the investment case, market opportunity and pathway to delivery. The Precinct is supported by major industry contributions and the Commonwealth Government’s Australian Forest and Wood Innovations (AFWI) and the Victorian State Government. The symposium will be held at the Sofitel on Collins Street from 10am to 3.30pm on Wednesday 14 October.  

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Forest and Wood Communities Australia (FWCA) is calling for the Government to publish the trigger for renewed fuel relief. The Federal Government extended fuel relief in June because Australians remained under cost-of-living pressure, uncertainty persisted in the Middle East and truckies needed help to “keep Australia moving”. Source: Timberbiz Sydney wholesale diesel was then 182.3 cents per litre. Today it is 251.5 cents per litre – almost 70 cents, or 38 per cent, higher – while Middle East instability has escalated again and regional businesses remain heavily exposed to diesel costs. Yet the Government says it has “no plans” for another excise cut. FWCA Chair Steve Dobbyns said the Government needed to explain why the reasons it gave for relief in June apparently no longer apply. “In June the Government said Australians were still under pressure, international uncertainty remained and truckies needed help to keep Australia moving. “All three conditions still exist – but diesel is now almost 70 cents a litre more expensive at the wholesale level.” “So, what has changed?” On 21 June, the Commonwealth extended fuel relief for July, cutting both fuel excise and the Heavy Vehicle Road User Charge by 16 cents per litre. The Government explicitly said the extension recognised that although fuel prices had fallen substantially, people remained under cost-of-living pressure. It also said the Heavy Vehicle Road User Charge reduction was needed to help truckies “keep Australia moving”. Eight days later, it again justified the extension on the basis that Australians remained under pressure and there was continuing uncertainty in the Middle East and global economy. Mr Dobbyns said that created a clear accountability test. “The Government does not need a new justification. It simply needs to explain why the justification it gave Australians in June no longer applies. “If there is an objective trigger for renewed relief – whether it is a wholesale price, regional pump price, national stock level or defined impact on freight – publish it. “If there isn’t one, explain why a major fuel-policy intervention can be switched on and off without a transparent benchmark.” FWCA said waiting until diesel again reached the absolute peak of the earlier crisis was not a credible policy test. “The Government continued relief when diesel had already fallen well below today’s price,” Mr Dobbyns said. “If assistance was warranted at $1.82 wholesale diesel, Australians deserve an explanation for why it apparently does not even warrant reconsideration at $2.51.” The renewed price surge is already hitting essential regional industries. ABC Rural reported last week that grain growers were entering one of the most fuel-intensive periods of their year just as diesel prices were rising again. One trucking operator said ten trucks consumed at least 10,000 litres a day, while his monthly fuel bill had approached $400,000 during the earlier price spike. Farmers said diesel remained their only practical option for completing harvest. Mr Dobbyns said the same economics applied across regional Australia. “Whether it is a header harvesting grain, a forestry machine producing timber or a truck carrying either product to market, diesel is not an optional expense. “When diesel rises sharply, the cost does not stop at the bowser — it moves through freight, food, timber, construction materials and ultimately the wider economy.” FWCA said the affordability issue was compounded by questions over Australia’s fuel infrastructure. Energy Minister Chris Bowen has acknowledged that Australian storage has at times been full, leaving tankers waiting offshore for storage capacity to become available. FWCA said the Government should disclose whether Commonwealth-supported cargoes delayed by Australian storage or unloading constraints had incurred significant demurrage or other costs, and who ultimately bore them. Mr Dobbyns said the central issue was consistency and transparency. “The Government acted when fuel costs threatened households, truckies and regional industries, and it continued that assistance when diesel prices were much lower than they are today. “The question is simple: why isn’t it as important now? “Fuel security should be measured by our ability to get fuel where it is needed, when it is needed and at the lowest practicable supply-chain cost — not simply by counting tankers on the horizon.”

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Kaingaroa Tipu, Ngāti Whakaue and the Tūhourangi Tribal Authority are inviting people to roll up their sleeves and join a native planting day alongside Waipa Stream in Whakarewarewa Forest in New Zealand’s north island on Tuesday 29 September. Source: Timberbiz The planting day will support the restoration of a special part of the forest following harvesting activity earlier this year. By working together, participants will help strengthen the health of the Waipa Stream and Puarenga catchment and contribute to a greener future for the wider community. Dan Phillips, Land Resources Manager, says the planting day reflects Kaingaroa Tipu’s commitment to caring for the land beyond the production forest. “Harvesting is only one part of the forest lifecycle. Opportunities like this allow us to work alongside mana whenua and the community to restore and enhance areas of environmental significance, ensuring they continue to thrive for generations to come,” he said. Every tree planted will make a lasting contribution to the restoration of this important catchment and the future health of Whakarewarewa Forest. Whether you’re an experienced planter or giving it a go for the first time, everyone is welcome. Join us for the morning, the afternoon, or stay for the whole day and enjoy a community BBQ lunch with fellow volunteers. The morning planting session: 9.00am to 12.00pm followed by a community BBQ lunch from 12.00pm to 1.00pm. The afternoon planting session is from 1.00pm to 3.00pm. The location is at the designated pull-over bay on Eight Mile Gate Road. Please wear sturdy footwear and bring a water bottle, weather-appropriate clothing, sun protection and a spade if you have one. Register now: To help us plan catering, equipment and planting numbers, please register in the link Wednesday 23 September. You must register to take part.  

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A forestry professional from the United Kingdom is gaining first-hand experience in sustainable forest management in NSW, as part of an international exchange program. Source: Timberbiz Karen Batten, a Forest Manager with F&W Forestry UK, is halfway through a three-month placement with Forestry Corporation of NSW under the 2026 Young Professional Foresters’ Exchange Program. Since arriving in Australia, Ms Batten has spent time with Forestry Corporation’s Hardwoods Division on the North Coast and is now working in the Softwoods Division in the Snowy Valleys, experiencing the diverse forestry systems used across NSW. The placement will enable Ms Batten to gain experience in silviculture, plantation management and harvesting operations. During her time in Australia, Ms Batten is writing a blog published by the Institute of Chartered Foresters in the UK, detailing her experiences working in Australian forestry operations. “Everyone at Forestry Corporation has been so generous with their time and knowledge and I hope to convey even a snippet of the interesting work that they undertake,” Ms Batten said. Ms Batten said she was impressed by the productivity of NSW’s hardwood plantations, the scale of the state’s softwood estate and the innovation that is applied to forest management in Australia. “If I had to pick the biggest takeaway from my first month with Forestry Corporation, it would be how data collection is utilised across the organisation,” she said. “Being exposed to this and other data collection techniques has broadened my understanding of the possibilities to move beyond observations and adopt similar approaches to support management decisions. “I want to sincerely thank my colleagues and hosts at both the Coffs Harbour and Tumut offices who have shown me around and shared their knowledge so readily.” The Young Professional Foresters’ Exchange Program provides emerging forestry professionals with opportunities to build international networks, share expertise and gain practical experience in different forest management systems around the world and is delivered through a partnership between Forestry Australia, the Institute of Chartered Foresters in the UK, the Canadian Institute of Forestry and the New Zealand Institute of Forestry.

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Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA) has appointed Dr Julianne O’Reilly-Wapstra as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Dr O’Reilly-Wapstra brings more than two decades of senior executive, board, and operational leadership experience across the forestry, research, and government sectors. Source: Timberbiz She joins FWPA from the University of Tasmania, where she currently serves as Dean of Natural Sciences, overseeing a large team, managing complex operations, and directing substantial research and development portfolios. The FWPA Board welcomed the appointment, highlighting Dr O’Reilly-Wapstra’s proven leadership, deep sector relationships, and strong track record of translating research into practical, commercial outcomes for industry. Having worked at the intersection of research, industry, and government for 26 years, Dr O’Reilly-Wapstra uniquely positioned to drive FWPA’s strategic vision and deliver measurable value to members and the broader forest and wood products sector.” Throughout her career, Dr O’Reilly-Wapstra has played a pivotal role in national sector initiatives. She currently serves as a Non-Executive Director on the Board of Australian Forest and Wood Innovations (AFWI), having previously led the successful $101.5 million federal funding negotiation to establish the national research institute. Her previous positions include Chair of the Tasmanian Forests and Forest Products Network (TFFPN) where she oversaw significant membership growth and governed the Tasmanian Regional Forestry Hub—as well as Director of the ARC Training Centre for Forest Value. “It is a privilege to be appointed to lead Forest and Wood Products Australia at such a pivotal time for our industry. The forestry and wood products sector faces a changing economic, environmental, and global landscape, but it is also primed with incredible opportunity,” Dr O’Reilly-Wapstra said: “FWPA plays a critical role in supporting innovation, capability, and profitable market growth for its members. I look forward to working closely with our members, industry partners, and government stakeholders to execute FWPA’s strategic priorities, build industry capability, and ensure our sector can thrive.” Dr O’Reilly-Wapstra will commence work as CEO on 1 December and relocate to Melbourne to lead the FWPA team in delivering its national Research, Development & Extension (RD&E) programs, promotional activities, and standards development.

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Former Responsible Wood CEO Simon Dorries has been appointed the Australian Timber Importers Federation’s new general manager, commencing next month. Source: Timberbiz Mr Dorries resigned from Responsible Wood at the start of September after more than 11 years. He has had more than 35 years of experience in the forest products industry, along with extensive expertise in certification, standards, and compliance through his work with Responsible Wood and the Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia (EWPAA). The ATIF Board believes his deep industry knowledge and practical understanding of certification frameworks will enable him to effectively support ATIF members and stakeholders as they navigate the increasingly complex and evolving compliance landscape for imported timber and engineered wood products. The board says it is confident that Mr Dorries’ experience, leadership, and industry relationships will provide significant value to the Federation and its membership. Mr Dorries replaces Natalie Reynolds who resigned in early July.

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Recent commentary has highlighted just how easy it is for misconceptions about the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) to spread. In some cases, a lack of understanding can result in significant financial opportunities being missed. At the opposite end of the spectrum, forest owners who do not fully understand the long-term implications of registering their forest in the ETS can find themselves with legal obligations they neither expected nor budgeted for. While the ETS has been with us for nearly 18 years, it has undergone several significant updates. It is therefore understandable that many people struggle to keep up with these changes and the impact they have on forest owners across New Zealand. In particular, there seems to be some confusion around how carbon credits are claimed in the ETS and the long-term obligations that forest owners face as participants in the scheme. These obligations depend largely on which of the three ETS carbon accounting categories a forest is registered under: Stock Change, Averaging or Permanent Forest. Until the end of 2022, all ETS forests used Stock Change, or the “saw-tooth” model for carbon accounting. In 2023, two additional categories—Averaging and Permanent Forest—were introduced to better reflect the different objectives of rotational forests destined for harvest and continuous-cover permanent forests. For forests registered under the Stock Change category, carbon credits can be claimed annually but carbon losses due to harvesting must also be accounted for, which can result in a significant quantity of carbon credits needing to be surrendered back to the Crown. If the forests are not harvested, the forest owner will continue to accrue carbon credits across the lifespan of the forest. Averaging accounting is well suited to forest owners who are planting a forest with the intention of harvesting. Carbon credits are claimed until the long-term average age for the species, typically 16–26 years for exotic forests. Beyond this point no further carbon credits are claimed. For forests harvested after reaching their long-term average age, a full surrender of carbon credits is only required if the land is not replanted within four years, or converted to a non-forestry land use. The Permanent Forest category is aptly named; forest owners entering their forests into this category should be prepared to keep the trees in the ground in perpetuity. The minimum sign-up period into this category is 50 years and during this time the forest owner is unable to voluntarily withdraw from the scheme or clear-fell their forest. Carbon credits continue to accrue across the lifespan of the forest. Selective tree harvesting can be undertaken, as long as 30% canopy cover is maintained across the entire forest area. Whilst the benefits and outcomes under Averaging Accounting are easily understood, the waters can be murkier for forests registered under Stock Change or the Permanent Forest category. This often leads to questions such as: My forest is registered under Stock Change, how many carbon credits can I sell liability-free, and still harvest my forest? The answer to this is that it very much depends; planting year, species, length of time registered in the ETS, harvest age, year of replant and replanted species are all inputs into this equation that can significantly impact the end result. This carbon accounting method is the most complex and advice from a forestry professional is highly recommended. My forest is registered in the Permanent Forest category, what will happen once the 50-year sign-up period is over? Some forest owners have entered this category thinking that they will claim carbon credits for 50 years, exit the ETS and harvest their forests. While exiting the scheme after 50 years is technically possible, doing so would generally require the surrender of a substantial quantity of carbon credits. Whether that is financially viable will depend largely on the carbon price at that time. The ETS is a complex beast, and it is essential to understand the weave of the specific forest characteristics, registration category, historic and future carbon credit claims and on-going compliance requirements. I cannot stress enough the importance of seeking professional advice before registering your forest in the ETS, purchasing a forest that has been registered in the ETS or selling carbon credits. Kirsten Stuart is a Company Forester & Consultant with Laurie Forestry

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