According to EOS surveys, the member states are cautious when it comes to 2019 and expect a stable development (+0.9%). Top production countries show differing growth rates. Where raw materials are scarce, growth rates are lower this year already. This is the case, for instance, in Sweden where the softwood lumber production will stabilize around 18.3 million m³. Finland's output is increasing - despite the scarcity of raw materials - namely by 3% this year still, and is expected to remain on this level (12 million m³) in 2019.
At the 66th softwood lumber conference last week, Austria's EOS delegation reported of a production gain of 7% in 2018 to a total of more than 10.1 million m³. In 2019, another increase of 3% is said to be possible. Germany's sawmill industry is more cautious: +4% to 22 million m³ are expected for the current year - a level that German sawmillers want to keep in 2019.
The production with the strongest growth rate, however, is Russia: After a plus of 7% in 2017, another +4% to 37 million m³ is expected for this year. For 2019, no new figures have been disclosed.
The Canadian and US softwood lumber productions will gain 3% this year totaling 109 million m³. For 2019, the North American sawyers expect an increase of 5% to more than 114 million m³. The Northern American growth, therefore, is expected for next year.
Adding up European and Northern American softwood lumber productions, this year's volume amounts to 234.7 million m³. This equals a growth rate of 3.2%. Growth is also expected for 2019, even though the production increase will somewhat slow down (+2.8%).
