Import of logs in Japan fell almost 7% to 5.5 million m3 in the first half of 2006 due mainly to reductions in imports from Southeast Asia, Africa and New Zealand. Lumber imports rose slightly to 2.77 million m3 as supply from North America and Russia offset shrinking imports of tropical lumber. Meanwhile, the import unit cost from all sources continued to rise. Tropical logs accounted for 11% of Japans total log imports, down from 13% in 2005. New Zealand log export prices remained high because of considerable appreciation of New Zealand dollar against the USD and increased demand from China, Korea and South East Asian countries. Southeast Asian log supply tightened further as control of illegal logging continued to be enforced. Imports of European lumber expanded 5.4% to 1.51 million m3 despite the sharp appreciation of the EUR against JPY. Imports of structural laminated lumber also remained active, rising 16.5% to 380,037 m3. (Source: Timberhunt.com)