The New Zealand log export industry faces challenges post-Christmas, grappling with fluctuating foreign exchange rates, rising shipping costs, and a temporary dip in Chinese demand during the holiday season. Export prices in January have seen a decrease of a few dollars per cubic meter from December, primarily due to the impact of rising shipping and foreign exchange costs on profit margins. The US to NZ exchange rate has risen approximately 4 cents over the past 10 weeks, affecting profitability by around $3/m3 for every cent increase. December witnessed a price spread among exporters, ranging from the ...