Holz_Stapel_Schwachholz.jpg

© Pixabay

china

Europe changes China’s log market

Article by Gerd Ebner (translated by Eva Guzely) | 02.07.2020 - 09:47

In five months, Germany exported nearly 2,3 million m³, which is a year-on-year increase of 211%, according to Chinese Customs. The Czech Republic saw a similarly positive development with exports rising by 164% to 1.1 million m³.

As China’s third most important European supplier, France also recorded a doubling of shipments to 170,000 m³.

After storm Vaia hit Italy, the country planned to increase its exports to China but did not succeed in doing so. In the first five months of 2020, around 30,000 m³ were sold to China (2019: 4000 m³).

Apparently, Austria did not ship log wood to China in May. Exports remain on a modest 3000 m³.

The European export flood can be explained with the accumulation of enormous volumes of damaged wood. However, the fact that the export flow was not interrupted even by a shortage in containers and a rise in related costs, is remarkable.

China softwood log wood imports from Europe | January to May 2020
 in 1,000 m³
Country 1–5 2019 1–5 2020 Diff. in %
Germany 736 2,292 211
Czech Republic 413 1,091 164
France 80 166 109
Poland 154 90 –41
Belgium 44 57 29
Latvia 60 32 –46
Italy 4 29 587
Slovakia 34 24 –28
Lithuania 55 24 –56
Slovenia 4 21 407
Denmark 65 17 –74
Estonia 15 12 –20
Switzerland 9 100
Romania 5 4 –23
Austria 3 100
Belarus 2 100
Sweden 2 0,5 –78
Luxembourg 0,4 100
Croatia 0,2 100
Norway 6 –100
Portugal 19 –100
Great Britain
Total 1,697 3,874 128

New Zealand and Russia with losses

The lockdown in New Zealand might be one reason for the 30% decrease in shipments to China. However, with 5.1 million m³ the country is still far behind the no. 1 supplier. In the case of Russia, which exported only 450,000 m³ to China in the first five months of 2020, the main reason was the mild winter which hindered the log harvest.

For more information on the situation in China, please read this analysis as well.

China global softwood log imports | January to May 2020
in 1,000 m³
Country 1–5 2019 1–5 2020 Diff. in %
New Zealand 7,261 5,182 –29
Germany 736 2,292 211
Russia 2,779 1,748 –37
Australia 1,826 1,503 –18
Czech Republic 413 1,091 164
USA 1,329 526 –60
Japan 410 380 –7
Canada 902 315 –65
France 80 166 109
Argentina 125 148 18
Poland 154 90 –41
Uruguay 855 79 –91
South Africa 102 66 –35
Chile 114 63 –45
Belgium 44 57 29
Latvia 60 32 –46
Italy 4 29 587
Brazil 85 27 –68
Slovakia 34 24 –28
Lithuania 55 24 –56
Slovenia 4 21 407
Other countries 146 56 –62
Total 17,518 13,918 –21