World Wide Wood-Timber Markets

ByForest Machine Magazine

6 October, 2024
Global Timber

Timber markets from around the World

Here is a brief look at how timber markets are performing around the world

Austria

Austria’s industrial and construction sectors remain in recession. In the meantime, private consumption has also deteriorated and remains at a low level despite last year’s wage increases and declining inflation. Current economic indicators do not point to any improvement soon.

The paper, pulp and board industry sites are currently well stocked with coniferous industrial timber. Demand is normal and is currently mostly in line with supply.

Demand on the energy wood market is very low due to persistently high stock levels. 

Brazil

According to the latest reports from International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), the value of Brazilian exports of wood-based products (except pulp and paper) in August decreased 10.8% compared to August 2023, from US$300.7 million to US$268.4 million.

On a monthly basis, exports declined 21% due to shipping difficulties. Uncertainties related to maritime transport are negatively impacting the sector, even as exporters manage to overcome challenges such as high production costs and internal logistics. Competition for space on ships and rising freight costs are among the main factors affecting the sector.

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Fuelwood

Pine sawn wood exports decreased 9.2% in value to US$48.3 million in August, down from US$53.2 million in August 2023. In volume, exports decreased 10.4%, from 230,100 m3 in August 2023 to 206,200 m3 in August.

Tropical sawn wood exports declined 33.1% in volume to 17,600 m3 in August, down from 26,300 m3 in August 2023. In value, exports decreased 48.4% over the same time period, from US$12.6 million to US$6.5 million.

Canada

Statistics Canada (StatCan) reported that Canadian lumber production decreased 10.9% month-over-month to 3,988.5 thousand cubic meters in June. Year-over-year, lumber production was 3.3% higher.

Canadian sawmills shipped 4,081.2 thousand cubic meters of lumber in June. That is down 9.9% from May and down 2.0% from June 2023.

China

More than 60,000 cubic metres of softwood logs are still arriving at Chinese ports every day, and despite a slight increase in demand, Chinese imports of softwood logs and timber remain well below past levels. That’s according to Scott Downs, director of sales and marketing at PF Olsen, who reports that Chinese softwood log stocks are now stable at 3.5 million cubic metres, including 2.85 million cubic metres of radiata pine.

Russia now accounts for 45 per cent of all timber imports, according to Chinese customs data – while Thailand, China’s second largest importer, now accounts for more than 18 per cent of the timber trade in the world’s largest forest economy.

Finland

The volume of timber trade in August was higher than usual and exceeded the average for the previous five years by a fifth. Cumulative timber trade volumes for January-August were 7% higher than last year and almost a fifth higher than in the previous five years.

Germany

German Softwood lumber exports decline
From January to July, Germany exported 5.5 million m3 of softwood lumber. This corresponds to a decrease of 370,000 m3 compared to the five-year average. The sharpest decrease was recorded in the US, Germany’s main foreign market. Exports to Austria stable, decreases on remaining foreign markets
German Beech lumber exports increase by 13%
From January to July, Germany exported 243,000 m3 of beech lumber, recording a 13% increase compared to the same period of last year, when exports had totalled 215,000 m3

New Zealand

September was another month with more of the same for New Zealand log markets and the forestry sector in general.

The big news was the announcement that both Winstone Pulp International mills would close, despite some last-minute attempts at keeping the plants operating. The Oji Fibre Solutions Penrose paper recycling plant suffered the same fate.

In both instances, high electricity prices were cited as the key reason, with high labour and transport costs a factor too.

Otherwise, the state of NZ’s domestic timber market was widely unchanged. Structural markets continue to feel the pinch of low housing consents (which aren’t improving); there’s a slight oversupply of pruned logs in the North Island; sales of posts and poles are yet to show and spring lift; and reduced pulp mill capacity is forcing more pulp logs onto export markets.

Everyone is hoping for more cuts to interest rates to help spark more life into the economy and housing market, but any changes will likely be slow to materialise.

Poland

 Poland sees biggest increase in wood products output in July

July industrial output surprised to the downside in Poland amid declines in export-oriented industries linked to the German automotive sector (cars, electric vehicle batteries). Despite a softer start to the third quarter, we still see 3% GDP growth in 2024 as strong consumption compensates for weak exports and investment

Sweden

In the first seven months, the Swedish sawmill industry exported 7.8 million m3 of softwood lumber, recording a year-on-year decrease of 6.5%. This export volume corresponds exactly to the ten-year average of 7.8 million m3.

UK

According to Timber Development UK, timber import volumes for the first six months of 2024 remain lower than we saw in 2023, but monthly figures show that the deficit is continuing to fall, raising hopes that 2024 as a whole may end up meeting, or even marginally exceeding, the previous year.

Volumes of the main timber and panel products from January to June 2024 were 3.6% lower than during the same period in 2023. However, it’s important to note that the deficit has reduced steadily every month since March 2024 and, with second-half 2023 volumes having been relatively weak, there is hope that if the market continues to improve during Q3 and Q4 this year, we could finish 2024 seeing marginal growth across the market.

USA

Southern Pine lumber exports are up 15% through July 2024, even though they dropped 25% in June and were 12% lower than the same time last year. According to the Southern Forest Products Association, using data from the USDA’s Global Agricultural Trade System, the Southern Yellow Pine market is showing mixed results. After hitting a three-year high of 59.7 million board feet in May, exports hit a five-month low.

Forest Machine Magazine is written and edited by a forest professional with over 40 years hands on experience. We are dedicated to keeping you informed with all the latest news, views and reviews from our industry.

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