Two-thirds of PNG is forested, comprising 33.6 million hectares of natural forest and between 60,000 and 70,000 hectares of planted forest. PNG's forestry industry relies predominately on exporting logs from natural forests. Timber products include raw log exports, sawn timber, veneer sheets, logs, plywood, processed timber and woodchips. Currently, only about 20% of logs are processed in-country.
PNG's domestic market for wood products is small by international measures, but appears to be significantly larger than the formal consumption data suggests. Demand for residential dwellings and small buildings is growing; providing nascent opportunities for increased utilisation of wood products, including engineered wood products (EWPs). The following resources are currently available on this topic:
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PNG Timber Trade Factsheet gives a snapshot of the trade in timber products from PNG
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PNG Market Analysis Report provides an assessment of value-adding options for PNG
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PNG Balsa Markets Report provides an assessment of the global balsa industry
PNG timber trade factsheet:
The timber trade factsheet provides a snapshot of the domestic and international trade in timber products from PNG. The pamphlet is laid-out for double-sided printing on a single A4 sheet. This publication is an output of the ACIAR Project: Development of durable engineered wood products in PNG and Australia.
PNG market analysis report:
The market analysis report provides an assessment of options that could reasonably be pursued to add value to PNG's wood products, both domestically and internationally. This publication is an output of the ACIAR Projects: Development of durable engineered wood products in PNG and Australia and Enhancing value added wood processing in PNG.
PNG balsa markets report:
The balsa markets report looks at the global outlook for balsa products, and the best options for strengthening the medium to long term global market position of the PNG balsa industry. The report concludes that the global outlook is positive with the growing and processing industries being modern, robust, and expanding. Underpinning this positive outlook is the ongoing strengthening of the wind energy sector which will continue to be the prime driver for expansion for the medium term. This publication is an output of the ACIAR Project: Improving the Papua New Guinea balsa value chain to enhance smallholder livelihoods
Further reading:
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Australasian Timber (2016). New mid-rise advisors aim to get market moving
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Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia (2015) Facts about plywood
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Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia (2017) Specification guide for the professional and home handyperson
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Food and Agriculture Organisation (2014). Global Forest Resources Assessment 2015 – Country Report Papua New Guinea. Rome.