LVL imports under spotlight – China supply scrutiny

Australia's imports of laminated veneer lumber (LVL) are under detailed scrutiny in early 2026. Shipments from China have exploded with import prices plunging to unsustainable levels.

Specifically declared LVL imports totalled 205,343 m3 year-ended October 2025, up an astounding 63% on the prior year. These specific imports are not all the LVL imported to Australia.1

Growth in imports was driven entirely by Softwood LVL, which accounted for greater than 85% of total imports for the year. In a similar vein, imports from China accounted for 69% of total imports for the year.

Given a dwelling construction market that is only just recovering and is struggling with momentum, LVL import growth seems to be running counter to the general direction of the market. Here, we examine the data, in detail and consider what might be occurring.

LVL imports by 'grade'

Imports of LVL have long been a necessity due to limited domestic manufacturing. Some calculations indicate that at the height of the housing market (mid to late 2022), imports of LVL lifted to something close to 300,000 m3 per annum. Since then, the housing market has deteriorated and most recently, has suffered only a stuttering recovery.

In that context, LVL imports might have been expected to recover from early 2024, but not significantly.

However, the data shows that over the last year, imports of LVL have exploded, growing 63% in aggregate, led by 77% growth in imports of softwood LVL. As the chart shows, imports in October 2025 shot to a monthly record of 33,632 m3, with softwood LVL accounting for nearly 94% of all imports.

Australia's LVL Imports by Grade:
Jan '22 - Oct '25 (m3)

LVL1

Source: ABS and IndustryEdge

LVL2

Prices telling a story

In October 2025, the weighted average price of LVL imports was a very low AUDFob404.45/m3. As the chart below shows, the hardwood LVL that includes tropical veneers is very varied in price, consistent with small and variable import volumes.

By contrast, the larger volumes of Softwood LVL drive the weighted average price (which has tumbled an apparent 53%, year-on-year) with the softwood price having crashed 56% over the year.

Australia's LVL Imports by Grade: Jan '22 - Oct '25 (AUDFob/m3)

LVL3

Source: ABS and IndustryEdge

LVL4

In October 2025, the weighted average price of softwood LVL imports was AUDFob372.96/m3 - the lowest ever. By contrast, the weighted average price of sawn softwood imports in the same month was AUDFob733.47/m3, almost double the softwood LVL import price.

Domestic manufacturers - LVL and sawn softwood producers alike - were already highlighting the impact of very cheap LVL imports in late 2025. The latest data will fuel increased concerns and increased the noise suggesting that further scrutiny, perhaps at the trade integrity and regulatory level, is urgently required.

One aspect that will inevitably be under scrutiny, is the origin of LVL imports.

Imports by country of origin show the China effect

Throughout the year, China continued to be the primary supplier, accounting for 69% of all reported LVL imports.

The chart below shows a very significant import spike for shipments from China in 2025 - up 107% year-ended October - underscoring market, standards and trade integrity concerns that have long been subject of speculation for engineered wood products. Most recently, the speculation has included the provenance of the log supply being manufactured into LVL in China.

Australia's LVL Imports by Country: Jan '22 - Oct '25 (m3)

LVL5

Source: ABS and IndustryEdge

LVL6

Country pricing adds to the story

Imports of LVL from China are being delivered at prices that appear questionable. In October 2025, as outlined above, the weighted average LVL import price was AUDFob404.45/m3. The price was dragged lower by imports from mainland China that averaged just AUDFob275.77/m3. As the chart and table below show, if China is removed, the weighted average price is nearly 68% higher at AUDFob859.98/m3.

Relevantly, and by way of example, not all imports from China are very low priced. For instance, the data for October 2025 shows that imports despatched from the port of Tsingtao (Quingdao) amounted to 22,108.4 m3 at the absurdly low average price of AUDFob172.56/m3.

Australia's LVL Imports by Selected Country: Jan '22 - Oct '25 (AUDFob/m3)

LVL7

Source: ABS and IndustryEdge

LVL8

Further investigation may be warranted

Unfortunately, the trade data ends at that granularity. There is no 'shipment-by-shipment' data, nothing to indicate what performance standards or end-use applications are relevant, nothing on dimensions and so on.

Trade integrity may warrant further investigations, by industry and by relevant agencies. For industry, whether as a grower, an engineered wood products manufacturer or even as a sawmiller, the details should matter because they provide pointers on the sensitivity of the domestic market to import supply.

However, those investigation processes are often lengthy and time consuming and they are rarely the ultimate answer to competitive pressures, no matter how fair or unfair they prove to be.

As an integrated industry, Australia's wood products and forestry industries needs to consider the strategic response, not just to questionable imports, but to the conditions that make it possible for imports to be so significant a proportion of total supply.

FWPAiscontinuing to monitorand evaluate trade data and is sharing that information with AFPA, EWPAA and other industry stakeholders.