German lumber exports up 7% last year

In 2014, Germany exported 6.6 million m³ of softwood lumber – 7% or 438,000 m³ more than in the previous year, according to figures provided by Destatis.

Exports to Germany’s number 1 customer Austria remained constant at 900,000 m³. Around 150,000 m³ less bought France (750,000 m³, –5% compared to 2014). It is followed by the Netherlands with a lumber volume of approximately 700,000 m³ (+18%). Furthermore, German exporters did well on the booming market in the UK, stepping up shipments by 40% to 390,000 m³. As opposed to Austria, Germany was also able to sell more into China where exports amounted to 300,000 m³ last year (+25%). In 2014, German suppliers were able to improve their stance the MENA-region. For them the largest market there was Algeria with 190,000 m³ (+16%) while exports to Egypt nearly doubled to 180,000 m³ (+84%).