New Zealand seen looking at wood for power after China closes its doors

In New Zealand, with wood not able to be sold in China the alternative of it being used as biofuel can be good for woodlot owners. “The news that the export of logs to China is dropping off and harvesting of some trees for export is unprofitable should result in woodlot owners looking to new outlets for their wood. Using the wood to make wood fuel is one of those immediately available options – and it requires no research,” said the executive officer of the Bioenergy Association.

It is reported that New Zealand logs are piling up on Chinese wharves as cheap, sawn timber makes its way by train into the People’s Republic from Russia and Scandinavia. Five million tons of logs, mostly from New Zealand are sitting on wharves in China unsold.