2008 Volume 54 Issue 3 Pages 29-36
In Kyushu, in recent years, there has been a large-scale demand for domestic logs by large sawmills, laminated log manufacturers and plywood factories. Accordingly, we expect that the existing system of distribution of logs will change drastically. Moreover, the log auction market in Kyushu has been growing significantly. We discuss the functional changes in the log auction market that resulted from the large-scale demand. 1) In Hita, some market keepers themselves began to buy stumpages in order to become supplier of logs. It seems that logs could be distributed through various markets due to the high specialization of the intraregional sawmills. Therefore, the buyers placed considerable importance on the market functions of collection and sortation of logs even after the large-scale demand occurred. 2) In Miyakonojo, market keepers have ensure logs volume by aiding local log production dealers to expand through advances payment. The degree of dependence on the market by the large intraregional sawmills has declined, and the auction market has become a complementary procurement means for sawmills. 3) In Hita, since the number of buyers has decreased, the market's function of log price formation has become weaker, while it is suggested that laminated log manufacturers and plywood factories have been growing pricing power.
