BC’s largest-ever forests-focussed trade delegation is in Asia this week, promoting coastal wood products in China and Japan.
Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development is travelling with representatives from many BC forest companies and unions
Rick Jeffery, president of Coast Forest Products Association, says he’s been speaking to Chinese furniture companies specifically about cedar.
He said as China’s middle class emerges, there’s more interest in outdoor lifestyles, which has created a growing interest in cedar products.
While efforts are focused on increasing lumber trade with Asian countries given the increasing tariffs on trade with the United States, Jeffery says they would be hard pressed to rival the U.S. market.
He said the danger is if prices are pushed higher because of unwarranted duties, consumers could start looking towards cheaper substitutes.