The Brazilian timber industry association, Indústria Brasileira de Árvores (IBÁ), says China bought more Brazilian wood pulp than any other country last year, making it the industry’s best year yet for exports of forestry products, Lesprom Network reports.

The website, citing data compiled by IBÁ, says China bought US$3.5 billion worth of Brazilian wood pulp last year, 38 percent more than the year before.

Brazil’s overall wood pulp exports rose 32 percent last year, the report adds.

The website says the combined annual value of exports of wooden planks, wood pulp and paper originating in Brazilian plantations rose by 26 percent last year to US$10.7 billion.

This meant the balance of international trade in forestry products last year tipped even further in favour of Brazil than the year before, up by 28 percent, Lesprom Network says.