BIS Shrapnel are Australia's provider of industry research, analysis and forecasting services. BIS Shrapnel give details of their report on Australian sawn timber industry. According to BIS Shrapnel, the Australian sawn timber industry is experiencing a major shift from import dependence to export orientation. In the last decade, there has been a reduction in sawn timber imports and an increase in exports.
Sawn Timber in Australia report on the significant differences in the hardwood and softwood sawn timber sectors from 2008 to 2022 and have found that Australian producers of sawn timber are in a position to supply most of the domestic market.
BIS Shrapnel believe that favourable exchange rates and international conditions the Australian sawn timber producers can make inroads into overseas markets. The report has found that 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.
BIS Shrapnel report also finds that during the past three decades, the hardwood sector has been subjected to constraints arising from community pressures and government legislation to conserve resources. Structural changes to the industry have seen smaller companies absorbed by Booral, ITC and Gunns.
Due to these factors, the demand for hardwood has declined over the last 15 years and production has also decreased. BIS Shrapnel expect the demand for hardwood from 2008 to 2012 to remain stable. BIS Shrapnel believe that the major government-initiated softwood plantation programmes benefit the Australian sawn timber market.
The demand for softwood sawn timber has increased during the last 15 years and the production has also increased. BIS Shrapnel expect the demand for softwood 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.