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On October 7, 2024, Japan's Forestry Agency proposed the list of organizations which the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries would like to designate as certifiers of information under the revised Clean Wood Act.

Wood consumption is expected to recover slightly in 2024 compared to 2023. In 2023, the value of wood product imports declined 19 percent from 2022, the lowest import value in the past ten years.

Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries invites public comments on proposed revisions of the Japan Agricultural Standards for cross laminated timber (CLT), sawn lumber (except dimension lumber), and flooring through July 2, 2024. Comments must be submitted in Japanese.

Japan has decided to fully enact the revised Clean Wood Act from April 1, 2025.

Ample opportunities exist for U.S. agricultural exports to South Korea. Highlighted in the chart above, U.S. agricultural product exports were a record $9.5 billion in 2022, up 2 percent from 2021. South Korea is the sixth largest export market for the United States, thanks in part to a successful free trade agreement (KORUS) between the two countries and a robust demand for high-quality U.S. food products.

The APHIS and FAS China offices have confirmed with the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC) Department of Animal Plant Quarantine (DAPQ) that sulfuryl fluoride is allowed for fumigation of U.S.-origin logs before export to China.

In recent years, wood logs and processed wood products exports have accounted for seven percent of New Zealand's commodity exports. Approximately 38 percent of New Zealand’s landmass features native and exotic forestry; of this area, production forestry currently covers 6.5 percent or 1.8 million hectares of the country.

Taiwan aims to expand use of renewable energy to 20 percent by 2025. Developing renewable energy is the most important implementation component to reach the goal and wood pellets is a green energy resource option being considered by Taiwan.

On May 8, 2023, the Forestry Agency revised the Clean Wood Act. On October 11, 2023, the Forestry Agency proposed what types of information can be considered as equivalent to legal harvest certification.

China’s consumption of wood products has fallen significantly due to slowing economic growth, a weakened housing sector, changing consumer preferences, and reduced demand from overseas markets.

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) proposed default greenhouse gas (GHG) emission values for biomass feedstock eligible for the feed-in tariff and feed-in premium (FIT/FIP) programs for power generation.

FY2022 agricultural exports reach record levels.