October 25, 2012

Demand for chips

Serafina Silaitoga
Friday, October 19, 2012

INCREASED demand for pine chips from Asian markets over the last quarter has resulted in Tropik Wood boosting the harvest on Vanua Levu.

Tropik Wood Limited chief executive Faiz Khan said over the past week, the company increased pine harvesting in Bua and Macuata.

Mr Khan said they had set their eyes on harvesting and chipping 25,000 to 30,000 tonnes of logs per month.

"Chipping operations too have been increased to a minimum 12-hour shift per day to produce wood chip from the level of logs being harvested," he said.

"This has been made possible through increased demand in the last quarter of 2012 by Japan and China compared to the generally sluggish 2012 demand."

Mr Khan said the level of pine harvesting was unprecedented for Bua and Macuata.

"We are hopeful all stakeholders will participate to ensure any infrastructure challenges are tackled successfully.

"Our production plans are directly linked to our export demand. The current level of production will remain for three months until the end of the year and will be reviewed thereafter."


No comments: