NZ export log prices rise in December, as cheaper shipping offsets weak Chinese demand

NZ export log prices rise in December, as cheaper shipping offsets weak Chinese demand
By Tina Morrison Dec. 29 (BusinessDesk) - New Zealand export log prices advanced for a fifth month in December as a decline in shipping costs bolstered local returns and offset weak prices from China, the country's largest market. The average wharf gate price for New Zealand A-grade logs rose to $101 a tonne, from $98 a tonne in November, according to AgriHQ's monthly survey of exporters, forest owners and sawmillers. The AgriHQ Log Price Indicator, which measures average log prices weighted by grade, advanced to 94 from 92.7 in November....