Vessel delays has resulted in excess logs in Marlborough, where pressure had eased when demand surged after lockdown. Despite this, there is currently a backlog of logs at Port Marlborough, due to vessel delays to Picton. In February, New Zealand’s forestry industry faced export challenges to China, after lockdown precautions resulted in almost no off take of logs. Port Marlborough chief executive Rhys Welbourn said since moving out of lockdown, the port had a strong and consistent volume of logs delivered to the port. Marlborough Forestry Industry Association (MFIA) executive officer Vern Harris said post Covid lockdown harvesting “started off back with a bang”.

Source: Stuff September 01, 2020 16:52 UTC