Approximately 97 percent of PNG’s total exports in the forestry sector are log exports.
This has translated into a total of K5.3 billion earned over the last five years, with a 2016 earning of K1.3 billion.
The figures were released by PNG Forest Authority acting managing director, Tunou Sabuin, during the 2017 Leaders Summit in Port Moresby.
Sabuin revealed that over 85 percent of the country’s logs go to China alone.
He said in 2009, PNG become the largest exporter of tropical hardwood into China and continues to maintain this since.
In 2014, log exports increased by 11 percent and was maintained in 2015, which Sabuin attributed to a boost by increased activity in forest clearance for agriculture development under FCAs.
The acting MD also said log exports are expected to remain at between 3.5 – 4 million cubic metres leading into 2020.