Decreasing softwood lumber exports

Article by Martina Nöstler (translated by Eva Guzely) | 14.11.2023 - 09:01

In the first three quarters, Germany exported smaller volumes of softwood lumber and planed timber than in the same period of last year. Sales increased on only three of the Top 10 export markets.

Until the end of September, Germany’s softwood lumber exports (incl. planed timber) decreased by 9% to 7.3 million m³. With the exception of the same period of 2022 (8 million m³) and 2021 (7.8 million m³), though, exports were at a high level. In 2020, they totaled 7.1 million m³ at the end of September, and in 2019, they amounted to 6.7 million m³.

The US remained Germany’s most important export market in the first nine months, despite a 7% decrease compared to 2022 and thus a total volume of 1.8 million m³. Exports to France fell by 5% to 601,000 m³, while those to Austria were down by 18%, bringing the total to only 600,000 m³.

Germany was able to increase its softwood lumber exports to only on three of the Top 10 markets, i.e. Italy (422,000 m³; +8%), India (359,000 m³; +23%) and Taiwan (170,000 m³; +31%).

Data are collected and published by Destatis. As always, you can find detailed figures in our Datacube.