Until the end of September, the EU-27 countries exported 2.8 million m³ of softwood lumber to the US, i.e. 700,000 m³ more than in the same period last year (3.5 million m³). It has to be said, though, that in 2023, record volumes were shipped across the Atlantic.
In the first nine months of 2024, Europe’s share in total US imports has fallen to 11% – from 14% last year.
Despite increases since July, US prices are still at a level that is barely profitable. You can observe this since September in the Holzkurier’s weekly US price trend. The price level can be easily calculated by dividing the value of the softwood lumber by the volumes delivered. Canadian deliveries averaged US-$181/m³ in the first three quarters. German goods were sold for an average of US-$250/m³ (+2%). Austrian softwood lumber fetched a slightly higher average price of US-$270/m³ (+5%).