The strong, sustained, economic growth of India over a period of time in combination with a huge population has raised questions whether it will follow China and become a major player in global forest products markets. The availability of wood fiber for India's forest products companies is more reserved than in China, where the per capita forest area is 2.5 times greater than in India. India is relatively minor player in global forest products markets, particularly in comparison with the dominant position of China. China imported US$17.8 billion of forest products in 2006, compared with just $2.7 billion in India. Imports of paper and paperboard in India tripled in value between 2002 and 2006, to$1.1 billion, and represent the largest section of forest products imports in the country. India's wood products and pulp and paper industries are also represented by many small, old mills that are far below the efficiency of the new world-class mills.
