Added value in store for radiata pine imports

ment to New Zealand, bringing with it markets, expertise, skills and new technology.

To boost international demand for the products, the Ministry of Forestry recommends a strong alliance between furniture manufacturers, the remanufacturing industry and export home manufacturers. Efforts must be combined and consistent.

Currently, the U.S. and Australia are the leading importers of remanufactured radiata pine products, followed by Japan, Korea and other Asian countries. Japan and Korea are seen to offer perhaps the greatest potential, and timber construction is being actively promoted in the countries.

A S MORE timber reaches maturity than ever before .Cl,during its 60-year history, the New Zealand forestry industry is repositioning itself to take better advantage of i harvest expected to double to 30 million cubic meters bv the year 2010.

The goal, according to the country's Minister of Forestry, John Falloon, is to add greater value, thereby reducing commodity dependence and maximizing export and employment opportunities.

Radiata pine manufacturers in New Zealand are confident they can meet the challenge. They have the raw mate- and technology. Export sales have risen steadily since 1993. The only ingredients lacking are sufficient investment and cooperation through the entire forest-to-product chain.

To help increase the supply of value-added products, radiata pine processing has attracted some offshore invest-

Prices of Remanufactured products

According to the Ministry of Forestry sample survey Processed

Remanufacturers predict the largest increases will be in millwork (9Vo) and specialty products (llVo), including mouldings, weatherboard, fascia, windows. doors and door jambs, stairs, solid wood furniture and laminated beams. Due to exchange rate uncertainty, only minimal increases are expected for sawn and semi-processed materials.

Story at a Glance

Push is on in New Zealand to export more value-added radiata pine products.

Sales of Remanufactured products

A Ministry of Forestry sample survey of New Zealand pine remanufacturers, including millwork and cutstock plants. mouldino and finished product plants-, lumiture factories and'inteqrated timbEr and reman operations, showed an increase in mosiproducts.