Deliveries from previous main business partners also dropped noticeably. The most important one, Canada, brought 70,000 m³ less (-4%; 1.7 million m³). While Russia was able to maintain last year's level (785,000 m³), northern EU countries saw delivery declines. Sweden, for instance, exported 680,000 m³ (-10%; -75,000 m³) to Japan, and Finland 860,000 m³ (-5%; -40,000). Significant import declines were also observed for Germany. While in the above-mentioned period in 2017, the country still delivered 160,000 m³, only 86,000 m³ (-46%; -75,000 m³) came from Germany in the reference period in 2018.
Contrary to the trend, Austria increased its deliveries by 9% (+25,000 m³). Japan imported 305,000 m³ of softwood lumber between January and November from the country.
| Japanese imports of softwood lumber including planed goods (1,000 m³) |
|||
| Country | 1–11 2017 | 1–11 2018 | Change in % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | 1,748 | 1,677 | –4 |
| Finland | 904 | 861 | –5 |
| Russia | 783 | 785 | 0,2 |
| Sweden | 759 | 682 | –10 |
| Austria | 281 | 305 | 9 |
| Chile | 271 | 279 | 3 |
| USA | 184 | 181 | –2 |
| Romania | 194 | 167 | –14 |
| Latvia | 109 | 99 | –10 |
| Germany | 160 | 86 | –46 |
| Other countries | 265 | 235 | –11 |
| Total | 5,658 | 5,356 | –5 |
