Constant US imports

Article by Raphael Kerschbaumer (translated by Eva Guzely) | 07.04.2023 - 09:57

Despite an increase in international shipments, the total US softwood lumber import volume remained nearly constant, which is mainly due to decreasing imports from Canada. In January and February, imports rose by 2% to around 5.47 million m³. Germany was even able to increase its shipments by 78% compared to the first two months of 2022.

The US are an increasingly important export market for Germany (see article Germany needs the USA). With a marked increase of 78% and a total of 600,000 m³, Germany has already become the US’s second most important trading partner.

Austrian trade volumes remained constant in January and February, totaling around 77,000 m³ like they did in the same period of last year.

Neighbor Canada still accounted for more than 76% (4.18 million m³) of overall softwood lumber imports. Year on year, however, volumes decreased by 7%. This negative development is also the main reason for US imports growing only by 2%, even though nearly all other supplying countries saw partly substantial increases.

As you can see in the Holzkurier chart, the increase in imports recorded in the first two months is mainly driven by a strong January. In February, the US imported much smaller volumes of softwood lumber than in 2022.