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Schnittholz Nadelholz © Martina Nöstler

china

More softwood sawn timber from Europe to China

Article by Martina Nöstler (translated by Eva Guzely) | 29.07.2020 - 13:35

In the first half year, China’s softwood sawn timber imports from Europe rose by 32% year on year to a total of 2.75 million m³. China bought more softwood sawn timber from nearly all European countries, with the exception of the main supplying country Finland, which shipped 524,000 m³, i.e. 17% less, to China in the first six months. The main reason for this decrease was the strike of Finnish sawmill workers at the beginning of the year.

Chinese imports from all other countries saw marked increases, particularly those from Sweden (484,000 m³; +50%), Ukraine (466,000 m³; +25%) or Germany (440,000 m³; +48%). Imports from Belarus more than doubled, reaching a total of 271,000 m³ (+147%).

81,000 m³ (+59%) of softwood sawn timber were imported from Austria. This is according to China Customs Statistics.

Chinese softwood sawn timber imports from Europe | January to June 2020
in 1.000 m³
Country 1–6 2019 1–6 2020 Diff. in %
Finland 628 524 -17%
Sweden 323 484 50%
Ukraine 374 466 25%
Germany 298 440 48%
Belarus 110 271 147%
Latvia 43 92 112%
Austria 51 81 59%
Romania 33 62 91%
Estonia 33 53 60%
Lithuania 15 31 109%
Czech Republic 8 21 154%
Norway 3 12 281%
Poland 1 8 522%
Slovakia 0 7 100%
Spain 6 6 0%
Denmark 7 5 -25%
Belgium 3 4 45%
Slovenia 0.1 0.7 412%
Croatia 0.3 0.2 -17%
Switzerland 0.5 0.2 -63%
Great Britain 1.4 0.1 -94%
Netherlands 0.3 0 -95%
France 1 0 -100%
Total 1,939 2,568 32%

China’s biggest softwood sawn timber supplier is neighboring Russia from where 7.6 million m³ arrived in the first half year. This corresponds to a year-on-year decrease of 12%. A considerably lower volume was bought from Canada (1.6 million m³; -39%).

In the first half year, China’s overall softwood sawn timber imports amounted to nearly 12.7 million m³ (-10%).

Chinese softwood sawn timber imports global | January to June 2020
in 1.000 m³
Country 1–6 2019 1–6 2020 Diff. in %
Russian Federation 8,670 7,625 -12%
Canada 2,572 1,580 -39%
Finland 628 524 -17%
Schweden 323 484 50%
Ukraine 374 466 25%
Germany 298 440 48%
Chile 305 280 -8%
Belarus 110 271 147%
USA 172 164 -5%
Brazil 131 141 7%
New Zealand 161 140 -13%
Latvia 43 92 112%
Austria 51 81 59%
Romania 33 62 91%
Uruguay 49 57 17%
Estonia 33 53 60%
Argentina 66 50 -23%
Japan 35 33 -6%
Lithuania 15 31 109%
Czech Republic 8 21 154%
Other countries 42 63 49%
Total 14,121 12,660 -10%