Great Britain remains the main buyer of Swedish softwood lumber and recorded a 15% increase in the months from January to June 2023, bringing the total to 1.5 million m³, compared to 1.3 million m³ in 2022.
Impressive growth can be observed on the Dutch and Chinese markets. The Netherlands imported 850,000 m³ from Sweden, i.e. 52% more than in 2022. China even increased its purchases by 59%, from 207,000 m³ in 2022 to 331,000 m³ this year.
Smaller volumes of softwood lumber were exported to the US and Norway. Exports to the US fell by 8%, from 627,000 m³ in the first six months of 2022 to 577,000 m³ in the same period of 2023. Norway reported a 27% decrease in imports of Swedish softwood lumber.
Trade with Japan was challenging in the first half year, which is reflected in the 35% decrease and a total import volume of only 296,000 m³. The first six months are indicative of the dynamics of the Swedish softwood lumber industry.
Strong demand in Great Britain, the Netherlands and China is driving growth, while decreases were recorded on established markets.
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