Stimulus measures announced last month by the Chinese government designed to energize the country’s lethargic economy could provide a boost to an ailing real estate sector, many observers have noted. A struggling real estate sector has undermined China’s demand for new construction this year, and as a result, slowed softwood lumber consumption. The trend has created a headwind to Chinese demand for imported lumber. In late September, the People’s Bank of China announced a cut in the existing mortgage rate by an average of 50 basis points. The rate cut was designed to stimulate consumer spending. …China’s softwood lumber imports declined to 11.7 million cubic meters through August, down 6% from the year-ago pace, according to Trade Data Monitor. Canadian exports to China slipped 3% during that time frame compared to a 2% decline in shipments from Russia and a 16% drop in deliveries from European suppliers.