Russia

Softwood lumber exports increased by 6%

Article by Fabian Pöschel, translated by Susanne Höfler | 17.05.2018 - 19:32

In the 1Q, Russian softwood lumber exports gained 6% yoy to a total of 6.5 million m³. Especially neighboring countries fostered this positive development.

A striking aspect were the export increases to the southwest. In contrast to the previous year, Russia exported 603,000 m³ softwood lumber to Uzbekistan - this is a plus of 28%. Deliveries to Azerbaijan amounted to 221,000 m³ (+33%) in the 1Q, and exports going to Kazakhstan increased as well: +26% to 107,000 m³.

The figures of main customer China remain more or less unchanged with 3.5 million m³ imported (+1%).

Negative developments were observed for exports to Japan (-2%; 223,000 m³) and Germany (-16%; 110,000 m³). Also exports to smaller countries declined by 16% and reached a level of 745,000 m³.

Russian softwood lumber March 2018
Russian softwood lumber exports including planed goods (1,000 m³)
Country 1–3 2017 1–3 2018 Change in %
China 3,493 3,524 1
Uzbekistan 472 603 28
Egypt 194 250 29
Japan 227 223 –2
Azerbaijan
 166 221 33
Armenia 2 217 –
Iran 183 177 –3
Estonia 136 152 11
Finland 111 123 11
Germany 130 110 –16
Kazakhstan
 85 107 26
Other countries 890 745 –16
Total 6,090 6,453 6
Source: Russian custom authorities (preliminary data) © Timber-Online 2018

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