Imports of Mouldings rose 3.1% over the year-ended August 2018, lifting to 342,053 m3, having dipped modestly in late 2016 and early 2017. However, within the total rise – which is relatively small – there are some seriously fast moving specific products, although it isn’t exactly clear what they are!
The chart below shows that the trend of growth in total Mouldings imports is relatively consistent over the last five years, but is marginally (less than 5,000 m3) below its annualized peak achieved in September 2016.
To go straight to the dashboard and take a closer look at the data, click here.
This aggregate data masks the details, which show that one sub-grade in particular has grown very strongly over the last year. Unfortunately, the grade is ill-defined, called ‘Wood Continuously Shaped, Coniferous’ [4409.10.00.01], and it is not clear what the specific products are, beyond being a moulding made of softwood.
A variety of countries – from a region perspective – use this code to import these particular softwood mouldings to Australia, as the chart below shows.
To go straight to the dashboard and take a closer look at the data, click here.
Although always of interest, FWPA’s notice was drawn to these imports by the sharp rise in imports from China, which lifted almost 60% over the year-ended August to 72,546 m3. China was not alone, although it is not perhaps so well known for its softwood products as some of the other countries.
Supplies from Germany lifted 26.1% to 32,410 m3 and the always-present New Zealand shipped 52,673 m3 under this code, a rise of 5.6% on the prior year.
An examination of the value of these imports is also of interest.
Year-end import values have grown solidly over the last year, rising a solid 14.8% to AUD187.6 million.
On a country basis however, there are two suppliers that are really making their presence felt.
The value of China’s shipments has grown 56.2% over the year-ended August and totalled AUD69.2 million, while shipments from mainstay New Zealand were valued just 0.1% higher over the same period, coming in at AUD71.9 million.
