From January to April, Japan imported a total of 1.67 million m³ of softwood sawn timber (including planed timber) which corresponds to year-on-year decrease of 7% or 126,000 m³. This is according to Statistics of Japan.
Imports from nearly all supplying countries declined, especially those from Canada. Compared to the first four months of 2019, they fell by 16% to 386,000 m³. Softwood sawn timber imports from Finland (251,000 m³; -17%), Chile (81,000 m³; -28%) and Austria (71,000 m³; -30%) decreased as well. Only two supplying countries saw a positive development. In the first four months, 318,000 m³, i.e. 10% more, came from Russia. Imports from Sweden rose by 15% year on year to 290,000 m³.
You can find more detailed data in our Datacube.
Japan softwood sawn timber imports (m³) January to April 2020
| Country | 2020 | 2019 | Change in % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | 386,172 | 457,341 | -15.6 |
| Russia | 318,306 | 290,103 | 9.7 |
| Sweden | 289,850 | 252,396 | 14.8 |
| Finland | 250,730 | 300,556 | -16.6 |
| Chile | 80,575 | 111,092 | -27.5 |
| Austria | 71,053 | 101,314 | -29.9 |
| USA | 58,769 | 61,605 | -4.6 |
| Romania | 49,598 | 68,790 | -27.9 |
| Latvia | 44,223 | 38,753 | 14.1 |
| Czech Republic | 31,482 | 31,462 | 0.1 |
| Other countries | 89,797 | 84,076 | 6.8 |
| Total | 1,670,555 | 1,797,488 | -7.1 |
