The Australian sawn timber industry is experiencing a major shift from import dependence to export orientation, according to BIS Shrapnel .
In the last decade there has been a significant reduction in sawn timber imports while exports have grown rapidly.
Sawn Timber in Australia, 2008 to 2022 reports on the significant differences in the hardwood and softwood sawn timber sectors and found that Australian producers of sawn timber are currently in a position where they can comfortably supply most of the domestic market.
BIS Shrapnel believe that due to more favourable exchange rates and international conditions expected in 2009, the time is right for Australian sawn timber producers to go after overseas markets.
The report found the demand for sawn timber during the next decade will be driven by sharp growth in the building and construction sector in 2010 and 2011.
Due to the current undersupply of residential dwellings in Australia, BIS Shrapnel forecast the residential construction sector, which uses more than 70% of the sawn timber produced locally, will grow particularly strongly during the three years to 2012.
Average annual domestic demand for sawn timber is forecast to increase from 4.8 to 5.6 million cubic metres between 2008 and 2012, and rise again in the decade to 2022, from 5.7 to 6.1 million cubic metres. This is compared to demand in 2007 of only 4.6 million cubic metres.
BIS Shrapnel Report Author and Senior Manager, Bernie Neufeld, says expected production of sawn timber will not be able to meet demand over the long term.
Production of sawn timber will range between 5.2 and 5.4 million cubic metres; however, this will not be sufficient to meet the projected demand for the same period.
“Unless domestic capacity is significantly increased to meet projected demand then imports will likely rise again over the long term,” says Bernie Neufeld.
“This suggests the Australian industry has room to accommodate several new mills to service the domestic market and potential export markets.”
Hardwood
During the past three decades the hardwood sector has been subject to constraints arising from community pressures and government legislation to conserve resources.
Structural changes to the industry during the same period have seen smaller companies absorbed by larger players such as Boral, ITC and Gunns.
Due to these factors, demand for hardwood has declined by 27% over the last 15 years and production has also decreased by 24%.
BIS Shrapnel expect demand for hardwood during the five-year period 2008 to 2012 to remain fairly stable with exports, imports and production also forecast to remain steady over the long term.
Despite stable demand, local prices are expected to experience upward pressure due to limitations on domestic production and supply, and rising import prices.
“We are forecasting the Australian dollar will depreciate against the US dollar during 2009 to 2011, so this will tend to raise the price of imported hardwood products,” says Bernie Neufeld.
“Locally produced hardwood will also be under supply pressure due to government policy and limited availability of resources which will place upward pressure on prices.”
Softwood
Major government-initiated softwood plantation programmes are starting to pay significant dividends in the Australian sawn timber market.
Newer sawmills are modern, large-scale and technology-savvy operations that are in a position to be highly competitive in the export market, an area in which many Australian producers are already dabbling.
The softwood sector has experienced some consolidation during the last five years and further restructuring is forecast in the near future.
“Three of the major players in the industry, Carter Holt Harvey, Weyerhaeuser and Hyne, have all been actively pursuing buyers during the past year,” says Bernie Neufeld.
“The purchase of Weyerhaeuser by Carter Holt Harvey is the beginning of this process and could result in further consolidation. While this may reduce domestic competition it will likely make the industry more competitive in international markets.”
The demand for softwood sawn timber has increased 44% during the last 15 years. However, production has increased a by whopping 150%.
BIS Shrapnel expect the demand for softwood to continue to increase to 4.8 million cubic metres by the end of 2022, which is in line with the expected production increase to 4.3 million cubic metres.
“Exports have increased to 370,000 cubic metres during the past 15 years, but considering the strong levels of domestic demand for softwood sawn timber we expect imports and exports to remain relatively stable in the mid-term,” says Bernie Neufeld.