A non-governmental organization based in Canada was seeking to promote products from its forestry sector to international markets. Significant volumes of Canadian Spruce-Pine-Fir (SPF) wood products were being imported into China to be used in non-appearance applications. However, there was a lack in understanding of the product usage and characteristics most valued by customers in this market segment.

The objectives of the study were to understand wood products manufacturers’ requirements for non-appearance lumber and the characteristics of their ideal material, which would assist Canadian sawmills in targeting this market.

Spire conducted face-to-face in-depth interviews with wood products manufacturers, log/lumber trading companies and industry experts in Guangdong (Southern China), Tianjin, Dalian and Shandong Peninsula (North-Eastern China). Spire also carried out secondary research on public sources.

Spire’s report provided estimates of likely demand for SPF wood of varying parameters, which were used as inputs by Canadian sawmills to determine if they should modify their production processes to address this potential.

Project deliverables included: