Sinking import demand from China, Japan and Great Britain caused a decline in trading volume of 2.5% on the global softwood market in the first three quarters. Despite the fact that import volumes of both the United States and Europe were higher than a long time before that, this decline compared to the same period of the previous year is what remains, all things considered, as a report by Wood Resources International indicates. The United States reached its ten year high in the 2Q which was followed by a decline of 3.5% in the third quarter.
Finland and Sweden also exported less softwood. In August 2018, the decline amounted to -10% and -6% respectively compared to the same month of the previous year. Finland primarily felt the effects of China's and Saudi-Arabia's withdrawal while Sweden had to cope with declining exports to Egypt, China and Japan. Within Europe, exports as well as prices remained stable.
