The objective of this study is to compare wood product attributes demanded to those that can be profitably and competitively supplied to the Japanese market by the Canadian primary and secondary wood products sector. Specifically, this includes providing market research and an international trade-flow analysis to highlight areas of competitive advantage for the Canadian primary and secondary wood products sectors.
The study has been broken down into three components: the Attribute Analysis, the Competitor Analysis, and the Linkage Analysis. The first of these has been completed and reported in seven publications as follows:
Japan's Value Added Market: Wood Product Attributes and Competition:
Attribute Analysis: Introduction and Methodology
Attribute Analysis: Building Systems
Attribute Analysis: Wood Structural Members
Attribute Analysis: Engineered Structural Products
Attribute Analysis: Interior Finish
Attribute Analysis: Wood Furniture
Attribute Analysis: Outdoor Furnishings and Decking.
The second component of the study, the Competitor Analysis, has been ongoing since the beginning of the project, and the first of two reports was released:
Japan's Value Added Market: Wood Product Attributes and Competition:
Competitor Analysis One.
Competitor Analysis One focused on the methodology employed in reconciling and organizing wood products trade data and subsequent trade-flow modelling. This report also offers an appendix of all softwood lumber trade detail used in the model, both in volume of and in unit value, from 1991 to 1997. Japan's Value Added Market: Wood Product Attributes and Competition: Competitor Analysis Two, continues with the inclusion of categories of softwood logs and structural and non-structural panel products. Further, Competitor Analysis two offers base-line trade forecasts for all wood product categories investigated for the years 2002 and 2007, as well an illustration of "what-if" scenarios against these forecasts. This report highlights this information.
The third component of the study, the Linkage Analysis, was not scheduled for commencement in this fiscal year. However, with the addition of a new researcher, this portion of the study is ahead of schedule, with the methodology for the analysis developed. This methodology is highlighted in this report.
Japan's Value Added Market: Wood Product Attributes and Competition: Linkage Analysis is expected for release in the summer of 1999.