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Germany

USA is main market ...

... for German softwood lumber

Article by Gerd Ebner, translated by Susanne Höfler | 20.11.2018 - 17:31

In the first three quarters, German foreign trade with softwood lumber increased by 12% or 600,000 m³. Half of the exports increase was realized with sales to the United States.

Until the end of September, Germany shipped more than 710,000 m³ (+66%) across the Atlantic. This makes the US this year's most important sales market for German softwood lumber so far, as figures by Destatis indicate. Second place goes to the Netherlands with 700,000 m³ (+9%) followed by Austria with 670,000 m³ (+2%).

Climber of the year, besides the US, is Australia. "Down under" bought 142,000 m³ in the first nine months which is 242% more than last year.

In total, Germany's sawmill industry exported 6.1 million m³ in the first nine months.

German softwood lumber exports September 2018
German softwood lumber exports including planed goods (1,000 m³)
Country Jan – Sep 2017 Jan – Sep 2018 Change in %
USA 431 716 66
Netherlands 644 703 9
Austria 657 669 2
France 603 622 3
Belgium 489 511 5
Great Britain
 306 362 18
Italy 347 354 2
India 196 204 4
Czech Republic 195 167 –14
Australia 41 142 242
UAE 140 117 –16
Other Countries 1,451 1,571 8
Total 5,501 6,139 12
2017: final data | 2018: monthly updated data. Source: Destatis © Timber-Online 2018
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