Lumber exports to Japan surge

Japan's imports of European softwood lumber amounted to 1.59 million m³ in the first half year. That is 32% more than in the same period last year. From this bullish import rate, Austria benefited more than most other supplying countries: Austrian shipments performed a 72%-jump to 202,000 m³. Finland increased their deliveries by 33% to 503,000 m³ and thus wound up Japan's most important supplier in the first half year. Despite an increase of 16% to 469,000 m³, Sweden fell behind Finland to rank second.

The situation for Japanese glulam-imports is quite contrary to this: With 327,000 m³ they inched by a modest 5% higher between January and June. The volumes coming from Austria (–6% to 107,000 m³) and Finland (–3% to 100,000 m³) fell slightly. Estonia, however, stepped up theirs by 28% to 28,000 m³.

In June, the yen-price of Austrian softwood increased by 53% to ¥ 40,100/m³ (€ 326/m³). The value of Austrian glulam increased by 37% to ¥ 54,800/m³ (€ 421/m³). Yet in the same period, the yen depreciated against the euro by 34%.