China has an annual shortage of between 33 and 43 million cubic metres of commercial lumber a year - making it an ideal market for western timber suppliers, say analysts.
Forecasts indicate that by 2010 China's total consumption of commercial timber will reach 240 million cubic metres, with demand continuously outstripping the supply capability of domestic timber producers.
As the Chinese economy expands, analysts believe the need for lumber will be most pronounced within the housing construction, furniture and paper industries.
The bulk of China's domestic timber is used in papermaking, panel products and veneers. China remains reliant on imports to supply its home decoration, housing repair, solid wood furniture and plywood industries. Analysts suggest this will continue as supply struggles to keep pace with timber demand.
China Online: Chinese timber importers and manufacturers use TIMBERWeb primarily to find suppliers. The Chinese business community is embracing the Internet with speed - by 2010, many forecasters believe Chinese will be the dominant language used on the Internet.
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