China’s downturn period of economic activities is having an effect on all commodities that China used to import like steel and wood chips from Fiji.

Executive chairman of Fiji Pine Group Faiz Khan says eight vessel loads of woodchips is scheduled to be exported this year.

“We are facing a few bumps at the moment with the Chinese demand and a few bumps generally in terms of our ability to export however we are working to make sure we mitigate those risks as much as possible.”

Khan says Fiji’s export market depends on the demand from Japan and China which fluctuates regularly throughout the year.

Presently, there are three woodchip vessels in Lautoka and the Wairiki yard.

Two shipments initially planned for Japan and China were delayed and another is planned for China in December.