Softwood log imports up by 36%

Another doubling of German shipments?

Article by Gerd Ebner (translated by Eva Guzely) | 28.05.2021 - 10:54

From January to April, China imported more than 15.8 million m³ of softwood logs, i.e. 36% more than in the same period of 2020. Thanks to Germany, shipments from Europe saw a 58% increase, reaching a total of 5.2 million m³.

New Zealand remains China’s undisputed number one supplier with 6.2 million m³ (+33%). Brazil recorded the biggest relative increase, i.e. +1061%.

German shipments to China supposedly doubled again (4 million m³; +105%). However, data collected by China Customs Statistics differ substantially from those published by Destatis on German softwood log exports (960,000 m³ in three months; +18%).

China softwood lumber imports from Europe | January to April 2021
Country	1–4 2020	1–4 2021	Diff. in %
in 1,000 m³
Germany	1,933	3,969	105
Czech Republic	923	475	–48
Slovakia	24	220	815
France	152	218	44
Poland	77	145	89
Belgium	50	48	–4
Lithuania	20	37	89
Denmark	15	25	60
Latvia	32	21	–34
Italy	25	18	–30
Slovenia	21	6	–71
Estonia	11	6	–44
Sweden	0.5	4.1	762
Luxembourg	0.4	3.4	746
Romania	3.2	0.9	–72
Norway	–	0.7	100
Austria	2.5	0.1	–95
Switzerland	8.9	–	–100
Belarus	1.8	–	–100
Croatia	0.2	–	–100
Total	3,300	5,197	58

China softwood log imports global | January to April 2021

China Importe Welt Nadelrundholz Januar bis April 2021
Country	1–4 2020	1–4 2021	Diff. in %
in 1,000 m³
New Zealand	4,673	6,238	33
Germany	1,933	3,969	105
Russia	1,297	1,319	2
USA	410	842	106
Uruguay	79	746	850
Canada	259	485	87
Czech Republic	923	475	–48
Japan	296	427	44
Brazil	27	311	1,061
Slovakia	24	220	815
France	152	218	44
Poland	77	145	89
South Africa	61	93	52
Argentina	148	76	–49
Australia	1,058	57	–95
Belgium	50	48	–4
Chile	57	46	–19
Lithuania	20	37	89
Denmark	15	25	60
Other countries	146	130	–11
Total	11,669	15,845	36