NZ forestry cuts back amid fuel hikes from Middle East conflict

NZ forestry cuts back amid fuel hikes from Middle East conflict

Friday 1 May 2026

The price of diesel has led to some forestry harvests being halted around the country. In the worst cases, managers say forest owners would make no return – or a loss – because heavy machinery has become so expensive to run.

Farm Forestry Association president Dougal Morrison told 1News the latest figures from ports today showed a 30% reduction in log volumes compared to previous months. "That's huge," he said, attributing the drop to diesel prices. "Fuel is used in the harvesting equipment and you've got the transport – the logging trucks on the roads – and the ships exporting the logs as well."

Northland company Tree People has no more felling booked after this month, as all clients halted harvesting work. Director Peter Davies-Colley said: "It doesn't make sense for them to harvest on the day that high fuel prices means that their forest isn't worth anything."

More >>

Source: 1News

Return to Newsletter

Share |