Summary:

• More than 60 delegates travelled throughout Japan and South Korea as part of the largest forestry trade mission
• Three memoranda of understanding signed
• Twenty site visits, tours and meetings

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Delegates from B.C.’s largest forestry trade mission to Asia have returned home, bringing back business deals, signed agreements and deeper ties with key trading partners in Japan and South Korea, driving growth and investment for B.C.

“Donald Trump’s tariffs have created real uncertainty for B.C.’s forestry sector, and that’s why our work in Asia matters now more than ever,” said Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests. “In Japan and South Korea, our delegation delivered real results by forging powerful partnerships that open new markets, create stability for B.C. businesses and protect jobs at home.”

The trade mission strengthened B.C.’s forestry relationships with existing trade partners and opened new doors to growing markets in both Japan and South Korea. It also highlighted how B.C. plays a pivotal role in expanding wood construction markets in other countries through sharing research and development in wood construction, building designs and safety codes to help inform policy, and accelerating the adoption of wood construction in homes, offices and public spaces.

This work promotes the use of wood around the world as a sustainable construction material and creates more opportunities for B.C. forestry companies to provide high-quality, world-class wood products to meet new demand.

Two MOUs put Canadian wood on the world stage

With the support of the Province, Canada Wood and the Japan 2x4 Home Builders Association signed an agreement to expand technical collaboration and market development for mid-rise and non-residential wood construction in Japan. This agreement positions B.C. forestry companies to supply high-quality lumber for Japan’s growing mid-rise and non-residential wood construction market, creating new demand for B.C. lumber and value-added products.

Japan’s hospitality sector is estimated to grow in the coming years as tourism dramatically rebounds past pre-pandemic levels and developers begin building more hotels, particularly with sought-after West-Coast-style wood designs from B.C. forestry companies.

Also, Canada Wood, Forestry Innovation Investment and the Korea Land and Housing Research Institute signed an agreement to promote wood-based building in South Korea’s housing sector, supporting the country’s carbon-neutrality goals and expanding the international wood construction market.

The Korea Land and Housing Corporation is South Korea’s largest housing developer and is exploring wood use in construction and mass-timber building as a low-carbon alternative to concrete. With B.C.’s expertise in mass timber and steady supply of high-quality wood products, this partnership opens more opportunities for B.C.’s forestry sector in South Korea’s growing wood building market.

B.C. forestry sector joins forces with Japanese partner to deliver more B.C. housing

Forestry trade missions also provide B.C. forestry companies with the opportunity to strengthen business relationships with international customers, learn more about how they can expand their businesses in global markets and see first-hand how their wood products are being used.

A memorandum of understanding was signed between Centurion Lumber, Wing / Mobitech, Western Forest Products, and the First Nations Forestry Council to deliver affordable housing on Vancouver Island, while strengthening First Nations partnerships in building locally made housing.

The agreement aims to address some of the most pressing housing challenges on Vancouver Island, including:

• emergency housing during natural disasters
• affordable housing for First Nations and underserved communities
• laneway and carriageway homes to increase density in urban areas

“Signing this MOU brings together four exceptional partners whose combined strengths will transform what’s possible for affordable modular housing on Vancouver Island,” said John Gillis, vice-president, Centurion Lumber. “This project will open the door for training and employment for local residents and support the local economy.”

Quotes:

Lennard Joe, CEO, B.C. First Nations Forestry Council –

“The trade mission was a valuable opportunity for First Nations to showcase the strength of our relationships with provincial and federal governments and our industry partners. A key highlight was signing an MOU with Japanese partners and B.C. industry to work together on solutions to the housing crisis facing our province. We also learned how deeply Japanese partners value long-term relationships built on trust, something this mission allowed us to begin building together.”

Bruce St. John, president, Canada Wood –

“Our long-standing partnerships in Japan and South Korea continue to drive technical innovation and market development. Together, we’re laying the foundation for long-term growth and creating new opportunities for Canadian wood products in these key construction markets.”

Kim Haakstad, president and CEO, B.C. Council of Forest Industries –

“This mission delivered, strengthening long-standing relationships and generating real results. From new technical collaboration to expanded wood-construction opportunities, the outcomes position B.C. companies as ready, reliable partners for growing global demand. Ongoing collaboration between government, First Nations and industry will be key to sustaining this momentum and ensuring B.C. can succeed in an increasingly competitive global market.”

Quick Facts:

• More than 300 customers and partners were engaged, and 20 meetings, tours and site visits held throughout Japan and South Korea.
• More than 60 trade mission delegates participated, including seven from First Nations or First-Nations-owned forestry businesses.
• Three memorandum-of-understanding agreements were signed, promoting B.C. wood and deeper trade ties.
• The forestry trade mission to Japan and South Korea is part of the Government of B.C.’s work to increase trade and investment with established trading partners and grow a presence in new and emerging markets.
• In October 2025, a new London hub for B.C.’s forestry sector was announced to expand trade throughout Europe and the United Kingdom, led by Forestry Innovation Investment, a B.C. Crown corporation.

Learn More:

• To learn more about Forestry Innovation Investment, visit: https://www.bcfii.ca/
• To learn more about the work of Canada Wood, visit: https://canadawood.org/
• To learn more about B.C.’s role as a global supplier of world-class wood, visit: https://www.naturallywood.com/
• To view and use photographs of the trade mission, visit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bcgovphotos/albums/72157686474934255/