STOCKHOLM, 20 December 2021 / PRNewswire / –
- This year, the strong demand for wood products in Europe and North America increased lumber trade in the first nine months of 2021 by about three percent year-on-year. In order of ranking, the exporting countries with the most significant increases in shipments include Finland, Canada, Germany, and the Czech Republic. Unsurprisingly, the countries with the largest increases in imports in 2021 were all Europe and the United States, where demand was high, while shipments to Asia and the MENA region have declined as their construction sectors weakened this year.
- In 3Q / 21, overseas timber imports we decreased 13% qoq to 1.3 million m3. This decline follows a quarter where volumes reached their highest level in 15 years, with most shipments coming from Europe. Germany has been the largest overseas lumber supplier to the United States for the past five years, with a market share of around 35%, according to the WRQ. The second and third largest suppliers to the United States were Sweden and Brazil. European import prices fell about 20% qoq in 3Q / 21 as US domestic prices plunged.
- CanadaLumber exports fell about 13% qoq in 3Q / 21 to less than nine million m3. In spring 2021, several sawmills in Western Canada shifted their overseas sales to the US market, mainly due to record lumber prices in the neighboring country. Therefore, exports to China fell more than 50% in the first nine months of 2021 compared to the previous year. Export prices from Canada to the United States in 2021 followed US domestic prices with unprecedented price increases in the first half of the year, followed by a substantial decline in 3Q / 21. Price for Asia-exports of bound lumber did not follow the US trend but instead continued their upward movement during the fall.
- Chinasoftwood lumber imports increased three percent quarter-on-quarter in 3Q / 21, but were still significantly lower than the same quarter last year. This year, the largest drops in imports were in shipments of Canada and Europe as exporters from both regions turned to the strong US lumber market. However, despite the decline in import demand, Chinese import prices at 3Q / 21 reached their highest levels for at least 15 years, due to the higher value of timber in European markets and North Americans.
- Sweden is the largest exporter of timber from Europe, shipping a record volume of 14 million m3 in 2020. In the first eight months of 2021, shipments fell six percent year-on-year, mainly due to lower demand for wood in China, Egypt, and other markets in the MENA region. Nevertheless, export volumes to key markets of Europe have so far been higher in 2021 than they were last year. Sales value jumped 67% year-on-year and is on track to hit more $ 5.0 billion (4.2 billion euros) for the whole year, reports the WRQ.
- Finland, the second largest lumber exporter in Europe, increased its shipments by 16% in 2021, mainly thanks to the increase in sales to European countries. On the other hand, shipments to China plunged 40% year-on-year, a notable change as China was once Finland larger market.
Are you interested in the global wood products market? The Wood Resource Quarterly (WRQ) is a 75-page report produced in 1988 that has subscribers in over 30 countries. Publication tracks sawlogs, pulpwood, lumber and pellets prices and reports on the development of the timber trade and market in most key regions of the world. For more information on the latest trends in the international forest products market, please visit www.prixbois.com
CONTACT:
Wood Resources International LLC
Hakan Ekstrom
[email protected]
www.prixbois.com
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SOURCE Wood Resources International LLC
