Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, will be joined by 35 senior executives from B.C. forest companies and associations as he leads his third forestry trade mission to Asia.

From Nov. 10 to 15, 2019, delegates will meet with stakeholders to promote B.C.’s innovative wood products. B.C. exports 90% of its forest products, and China and Japan are B.C.’s largest markets outside of North America. China represents 28% of B.C.’s total forest product exports, while Japan is B.C.’s third-largest export market for lumber products.

In Shanghai, at the Sino-Canadian Wood Forum, delegates will have the opportunity to meet with Chinese businesses to expand markets for B.C. wood products, particularly to the higher-value segment of Chinese markets where the superiority of B.C. wood is a clear advantage. There will also be opportunities to expand wood use in China’s massive manufacturing sector, such as furniture making.

In Japan, the delegation will participate in a Canada wood strategy session to understand the developments that have been made in the Japanese market over the last year. The Japan Home Show is also on the agenda, where tour delegates will view a full-scale resource and development demonstration centre that showcases Canadian wood in market-building innovations. The delegation will also meet with Sumitomo (one of the largest Japanese business groups), the Wood Pellet Association and B.C. Trade and Investment.

In addition, a variety of construction opportunities are emerging in the growth of multi-family, non-residential, mid-rise and mass timber construction in Asia, North America and Europe. This includes new applications for engineered wood products and mass timber, with new building codes allowing for larger and taller wood buildings.

Building with wood has a lower environmental impact than many other traditional building systems, which can result in healthier cities and increased health benefits for the people living in them.

Over the last decade, B.C. has led well-attended missions to Asia to promote and confirm B.C.’s reputation and stability as the leading global source of supply for high quality, competitively priced and sustainably harvested forest products.

Quick Facts:

• In 2019, Canada and Japan officially celebrate 90 years of trade together. Dating back to the Taisho era in the 1920s, B.C.’s trade in forest products is a pillar in B.C.’s trade relationship with Japan.
• In 2018, all forest products exported to China from B.C. totalled $4.14 billion.
• In 2018, all forest products exported to Japan from B.C. totalled $1.62 billion.