Sawn timber imports witnessed a big boost in FY 2018 after having marginal drop last year. The data revealed by the reports from DGCI&S indicates that import of sawn timber has increased by Rs 800 crore (44% growth) reaching to Rs 2615.14 crore in 2017-18 from Rs 1805.54 crore last year. It is noted that rising trend in sawn timber import is continuous phenomenon for India market since 2014-15, and the import value has almost doubled. The data shows the growing potential of imported sawn timber demand in Indian construction and furniture sector. Ply Reporter survey finds that Southern India receives good quantity of imported sawn timber, and traders advocate the growth of imported sawn timber due to its good sawing and kiln quality. Hardwood sawn timber is imported from Malaysia, Vietnam, Myanmar, America and African countries, whereas softwood sawn is shipped from Canada, Europe, American countries.
Sawn timber import is growing faster but Logs imports are registered its value growth compared to last year and data says that logs imports are raised by 6.6 percent (value in Rupee). This year the import of logs improved by Rs 500 crore and has reached to nearly Rs 8314.76 crore from Rs 7800.99 crore in the year 2016-17. Leaving the last year growth, the logs import are reported to decrease year on year since last 5 years as it was Rs 12151.13 crores, 11489.23 crores and Rs. 9730.34 crores in 2013- 14, 2014-15 and 2015-16 respectively. The rise in import of wood logs is due to increasing demand of timber products in India. Gandhidham is the biggest cluster of imported timber processing sector, which contributes 60 % of total logs import in India.