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Wood Pellet Import in Japan will Increase

By:Mr Evan Wang
Position:Managing Director
Sep 08, 2017
Japan recently submitted a report to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Overseas Agriculture Bureau Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN), pointed out that Japan had imported 347,000 tons of wood chips for heating last year, which breaks the highest record before. Imports of wood pellets are likely to increase in the coming years because the trend of mixing wood pellets with coal for thermal power generation is expected to continue, and the number of small and medium-scale biomass power facilities which use wood materials (including wood pellets and PKS) is increasing under the FIT system.
japan-wood-pellet-import-increase
Japan Wood Pellet Import Increase

According to the report, Japan’s FIT incentive for the generation of electricity from biomass has driven a rapid increase in demand for biomass, including domestic and imported wood pellets, and the import of palm kernel shells (PKS).  Although Japan has abundant biomass resources, it is unable to harvest and transport those resources economically.  Imports of wood pellets and PKS are therefore likely to increase in the coming years as existing coal thermal power plants are able to co-fire with wood pellets or PKS. The report also noted that Japan is considering establishing its own standards to address concerns about environmental sustainability criteria for biomass products. 

Wood Pellets (1,000 MT)
Calendar Year 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Beginning Stocks N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Production* 51 58 78 98 110 126 120 125 125 125
Imports** 59 73 74 72 84 97 232 347 400 430
Exports** 3 3 4 3 5 4 0.5 0.3 0.5 0.5
Consumption 107 128 148 167 189 219 352 472 525 555
Ending Stocks N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Production Capacity
Number of Plants                    
Nameplate Capacity N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Capacity Use(%) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Sources: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (Production), and The World Trade Atlas (Imports/Exports) Notes:
N/A = not available and not included in balance.
* The level of production forecast from 2016 on was prepared by Post, based on industry sources.
** The volume of trade forecast for 2017 on was prepared by Post, based on industry sources.
 
In 2015, Japan’s production of wood pellets was 120,000 MT, and there were 142 biomass pellet plants. Most of Japanese pellet plants scales are very small, with an annual capacity of 100-1000 tons. The production of wood pellets in 2015 decreased by 4.8% from the previous year as demands for heating decreased. According to an industry source, production of wood pellets in 2018 is expected to recover to record-high 2014 levels as the use of cogeneration units running on wood pellets. 
wood-pellet-production-and-number-of-plants-in-japan
Wood Pellet Production and Number of Plants in Japan
 
In 2016, Japan’s imports of wood pellets increased 49% from the previous year to 347 thousand MT.  Of these, 261,000 MT, or 75%, were imported from Canada, followed by Vietnam (18%) and China (6%). 
 
Key Suppliers of Wood Pellets to Japan
 
Partner Country
Quantity (Metric Tons)
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Jan-Apr 2016 Jan-Apr 2017
World 71,981 83,769 96,745 232,425 346,855 100,888 123,853
Canada 66,470 72,151 90,676 146,150 260,935 81,590 82,059
Vietnam 3,533 2,897 1,979 27,440 62,441 13,304 39,204
China 653 5,242 - 57,870 20,733 5,250 9
Malaysia 393 1,170 128 162 1,418 68 1,911
Thailand 265 1,242 2,682 194 451 208 409
Indonesia 15 629 410 304 425 113 120
United States 233 326 563 237 306 70 84
Source: The World Trade Atlas
Note: HS Code 4401.31
 

Japan - Import Price of Wood Pellets
 
 
Partner Country
U.S. Dollars per Metric Ton
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
World 269 242 251 196 182
Canada 272 248 255 198 191
Vietnam 160 176 197 161 136
China 451 215 0 209 199
Malaysia 164 152 157 142 127
Thailand 200 135 138 162 137
Indonesia 177 174 146 142 183
United States 418 453 477 441 430
Source: The World Trade Atlas
Note: HS Code 4401.31

Japan’s imports of PKS are also increasing as a source for biomass power generation.  In 2016, imports of PKS increased by 67% from the previous year to 761,410 MT, most of which came from Indonesia and Malaysia. 
 

Japan Import Statistics
Commodity: 2306.60.000, Palm Kernel Shells and Others
 
Partner Country
Quantity (Metric Tons)
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
World 26,211 131,224 244,178 456,084 761,410
Indonesia 8,673 62,645 131,678 255,104 398,171
Malaysia 17,143 68,560 112,500 200,913 363,239
Source: The World Trade Atlas
 
Japan has a zero import tariff for PKS.  Imports of PKS as well as wood pellets are expected to increase for years to come.
SIMEC has built several wood pellet projects in Southeast Asia this year. 50% of the new projects will export wood pellets to Japan.
Southeast Asian countries have the natural advantages of producing and exporting biomass wood pellets. With rich raw material resources, policy support, and huge overseas market,  investment in wood pellet project will have a high economic return.
SIMEC is committed to the development and manufacture of biomass processing equipment, including crushing, drying, pelleting, cooling and packaging. We can supply complete biomass pellet plant.
If you are interested in biomass wood pellet project, please send your enquiry to info@simecpellet.com.