There are, however, some differences in the importing countries. As data published by Statistics Austria show, Austria shipped more softwood lumber to its main customer Italy. 670,000 m³ correspond to an 11% increase compared to 2020. This is not surprising since Italy was hit hard by COVID-19 restrictions in the first quarter of 2020. A further upward trend in exports to Italy can thus be expected in the coming months. In the first quarter, Italy was the destination of nearly half of Austria’s overall softwood sawn timber exports (46%).
Germany buys from its neighbor
In relative terms, an even bigger increase was recorded in exports to Germany. They have reached the record high of 290,000 m³. Germany is undisputedly Austria’s second most important trading partner when it comes to softwood lumber – among other things because less and less lumber is sold in North Africa. The latter trade flow is reflected in exports to Slovenia, and more precisely in the port of Koper: Shipments to the MENA region totaled 110,000 m³ in the first quarter, which is only around two thirds of what was shipped there in the past two years.
Exports to Japan halved compared to usual trade volumes, reaching only 53,000 m³. This is mainly due to Japanese housing construction starts which were significantly below the normal level in the first quarter. Japan’s housing sector could see a recovery now, though. In April, figures showed an improvement which should lead to a higher lumber demand again.
According to Statistik Austria, the US received only 50,000 m³ from Austria in the first three months. This is a 7% decrease compared to the same period of 2020 or 2019 (see box below).
This year, the Austrian sawmill industry found a “new” importing country in France. Shipments to the Western European country rose by 60% to 26,000 m³.
Unclear US exports
When it comes to foreign trade data for the first quarter, there are significant differences in Austria’s softwood lumber exports. According to Statistik Austria, the US received only 50,000 m³ from Austria in the first three months which is a 7% decrease compared to the same period of 2020 or 2019. However, the US Department of Commerce reports the import of 91,000 m³ (+52%) of Austrian softwood lumber in the same period. Holzkurier’s editorial team offers one explanation for this: Statistik Austria classifies lumber shipments via German North Sea ports as exports to Germany, while the US authorities correctly classify them as goods imported from Austria.
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