Back
germany

Log exports down by a quarter

Article by Martina Nöstler (translated by Eva Guzely) | 27.05.2026 - 08:26

In the first quarter, Germany exported 931,000 m³ of softwood logs, that is 26% less than in the same period last year. Of the Top 10 foreign markets, only two increased their purchases of German softwood logs.

As a look at the Datacube timeline shows, German softwood log exports amounted to 1.7 million m³ in the first quarter of 2024, and to almost 2.3 million m³ in the year before. Germany last exported a smaller volume in the first three months of 2018 (679,000 m³).

Exports to Austria decreased by 4% to 524,000 m³ between January and March, while those to Belgium were down by 9%, totaling 144,000 m³. Year-on-year decreases were also recorded in deliveries to the Czech Republic (-47% to 77,000 m³) and Luxembourg (-40% to 49,000 m³).

The Netherlands (+7% to 21,000 m³) and Switzerland (+9% to 19,000 m³) were the only main foreign markets where Germany could increase its softwood log exports.

Meanwhile, shipments to China have plummeted in recent years. In the first quarter, just over 16,000 m³ were exported there – compared to 965,000 m³ in the same period of 2021.

Clear all

Clear all

Related articles

europe

Record number of forest fires

According to official figures, a record-breaking summer with more than 1,000 forest fires has destroyed around 540,000 ha of land in the European Union since mid-June, as france24.com reports. Read more ...

austria

Log imports down by 20% year on year

In the first six months, Austria imported 2.2 million m³ of softwood logs. That is 20%, or almost 550,000 m³, less than in the same period last year. The two most important supplying countries,... Read more ...

germany

Beech log exports to China at a 20-year low

In the first half of 2026, German beech log exports decreased by 9%, or 42,000 m³, year on year to 418,000 m³. Exports to China reached the lowest level of the past 20 years. Read more ...

germany

Softwood log exports with a marked decrease

In the first half of this year, German softwood log exports decreased strongly by around 664,000 m³, or 26%, year on year to 1.94 million m³. All main foreign markets purchased smaller volumes. Read more ...