Picture: SANDRA MORELLO
A NATIONAL forestry body has foreshadowed the slowdown in the export woodchip market was expected to ease in the “medium term.”
Australian Forest Products Association South Australian branch manager Leon Rademeyer said yesterday the slowdown was having a negative impact on the economy.
“As with any primary production industry in a global market, exports play an important role in South Australia’s forest industries,” Mr Rademeyer said.
“Fluctuations in export volumes and prices can have substantial effects throughout the industry value chain.”
He said the South-East Asian market for wood fibre was currently experiencing a slowdown, which was driving an negative economic impact in regional SA.
“Our forest industries are the backbone of the regional economy and a major employer locally and it is often at the local level where global economic fluctuations hit the hardest,” Mr Rademeyer said.
“The slowdown was expected to ease in the medium term in line with growing domestic and international demand.”
