Log sales
Premium Otago Timber
Supplying Quality Wood Products to Local & International Markets
City Forests supplies premium quality timber products from our sustainably managed FSC® certified forests to local and international markets. Our strategic location, superior climate-grown timber, and commitment to sustainable practices make us a preferred supplier for quality-conscious customers worldwide.
The log sales and marketing programme demonstrates how sustainable forestry can deliver premium products while supporting local economic development, international trade, and environmental protection. Our commitment to quality, sustainability, and customer service ensures long-term partnerships that benefit our customers, community, and environment.
Market Leadership & Distribution
Strategic Market Positioning
Export markets comprise approximately 70% of production serving international customers. Local markets receive 30%, supporting regional Otago and Southland operations. The Port Chalmers advantage provides deep water port facility for efficient international shipping. Our Port Otago partnership ensures reliable logistics through a collaborative relationship.
Product Portfolio Excellence
Prepared sawlogs are premium quality logs for lumber production. Pulpwood provides sustainable fibre for medium density fibreboard (MDF) manufacturing. Specialised products are available for custom specifications for specific applications. Export logistics includes professional packaging and shipping services. Bioenergy products are supplied from harvest residues.
Superior Otago Timber Quality
Otago and Southland's unique climate produces timber characteristics superior to warmer growing regions.
Visual Quality Excellence
- Creamy white appearance with even coloration without dark winter ring striping.
- Consistent texture with uniform density throughout timber structure.
- Superior grain patterns with attractive appearance ideal for high-end applications.
- Minimal growth ring variation for clean, professional appearance.
Processing & Performance Benefits
Longer internode lengths mean more clear wood and less waste in processing. Reduced internal collapse provides better drying characteristics and yield. Fewer internal defects result in higher appearance grade recovery rates. Better finishing properties with superior paint and stain acceptance. Enhanced stability with consistent performance in service applications.
Structural Performance
Excellent strength-to-weight ratio for optimal performance for construction applications. Easy treatment penetration with superior preservative uptake for durability. Reliable drying characteristics for predictable processing outcomes. Versatile applications suitable for appearance, structural, and packaging uses.
Local Market Support & Partnership
Regional Sawmill Supply
City Forests actively supports local economic development through multiple sawmill partnerships throughout the lower South Island, reliable supply contracts ensuring consistent raw material availability, quality consistency enabling premium product manufacturing, and flexible scheduling accommodating customer operational requirements.
Value-Added Processing Support
Our commitment to local industry includes technical consultation on timber quality and processing optimisation, species selection guidance matching timber characteristics to end-use requirements, sustainable supply planning enabling long-term customer investment, and innovation partnership supporting new product development.
International Export Excellence
Global Market Reach
Through our export marketing and logistics partner TPT Forests, City Forests has established strong relationships with quality-focused manufacturers across Asian markets. Otago timber is recognised internationally for its consistency, and FSC® certification provides a competitive advantage by meeting international sustainability requirements.
Export Logistics Excellence
Port Chalmers facilities provide professional log handling and storage, with container optimisation ensuring efficient packing and shipping arrangements. Our documentation expertise covers complete export compliance and certification, while quality assurance processes maintain consistent grading and specification standards.
Commercial Sales & Customer Service
For sales enquiries contact:
Kent Chalmers - Commercial Sales Manager
123 Crawford Street
Dunedin
Email: kent.chalmers@cityforests.co.nz
Phone: +64 3 467 7730
Our sales services include supply contract development tailored to customer requirements, quality specification consultation to ensure optimal product matching, and delivery scheduling coordination to meet operational needs. Technical support is available for processing and application questions, along with market intelligence on industry trends and opportunities.
Log prices vary according to international market conditions. For current pricing information, the Ministry of Primary Industries website provides historic indicative New Zealand radiata pine log prices. We provide regular market updates to customers about price trends, and contract negotiations ensure fair pricing reflecting quality premiums and market conditions.
Our pricing reflects the quality premiums associated with superior Otago-grown timber characteristics, FSC® sustainability certification, reliable supply consistency, and the value-added services that support customer success.
Long-term supply security is underpinned by 90-year planning cycles ensuring perpetual supply, balanced age-class management maintaining consistent harvest capacity, and scientific growth monitoring for reliable volume forecasts. We continuously evaluate opportunities to enhance supply capacity, and supply contracts are available by negotiation with wood processing customers.
FSC® Chain of Custody certification provides complete traceability from forest to customer. Our carbon neutral operations support customer sustainability objectives, with products sourced from forests protecting 2,400 hectares of native reserves and maintaining superior watershed protection.
Radiata pine accounts for 84% of our plantation area and serves a wide range of applications, from premium appearance products such as furniture manufacturing, cut stock blanks, and face veneer, through to structural framing timber, packaging solutions, and paper and fibre products.
Douglas Fir offers superior strength and stability properties, making it ideal for structural and construction applications in both residential and commercial settings. Otago Douglas fir is recognised globally for quality, including traditional Oregon grade structural lumber.
Our specialised species portfolio also includes macrocarpa for durable specialty applications, along with spruce, larch, and eucalyptus serving niche markets. Tailored products are available for specific customer requirements.
Our quality assurance programme ensures consistent grading standards, professional log inspection, optimal moisture content management, and defect minimisation through proper harvesting and handling techniques.
Technical consultation services include species selection guidance to match timber properties to applications, processing optimisation advice for sawmilling and manufacturing, and application suitability consultation for specific end-use requirements. We also share market intelligence on industry trends and opportunities.
Professional operations ensure safety throughout the supply chain, with contractor compliance maintaining high standards across all activities. Quality control protocols ensure consistent product delivery, while environmental compliance maintains FSC® certification standards.
For safety reasons, we do not offer retail sales, our products are supplied to commercial customers only. Industrial timber products require proper handling equipment, and we provide safety training recommendations for customer personnel.
We actively seek partnerships with wood processing companies requiring reliable, high-quality raw material supply; construction industry customers needing consistent structural timber; export companies seeking FSC® certified products for international markets; and innovation companies developing new wood products and applications.
Sustainability partnerships offer opportunities for carbon credit collaboration leveraging our ETS participation, certification chain extension to support customer sustainability objectives, combined environmental operations for enhanced outcomes, and research collaboration advancing sustainable forestry and wood processing.
