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glulam © Martina Nöstler

japan

Japan bought less glue-laminated timber

Article by Gerd Ebner (translated by Eva Guzely) | 20.07.2018 - 09:45

The main suppliers are European countries which reported declines in shipments to Japan, however. Finland, i.e. mainly Stora Enso, had the best result with 144,000 m³ (-3%). Imports from Romania, mainly represented by the company Holzindustrie Schweighofer, fell by almost one third to 59,000 m³. It is followed by Austria (47,000 m3; -5%) and Estonia (24,000 m3; -5%).

April’s and May’s imports were more dynamic compared to the previous months. While performance was better in April, imports remained on last year’s level in the month of May.

Japan glue-laminated timber May 2018

Japan Imports of glue-laminated and cross-laminated timber (1,000 m³)

Country

Jan–May 2017

Jan–May 2018

Change in %

Finland

149

144

–3

Romania

85

59

–31

Austria

49

47

–5

Estonia

25

24

–5

Russia

23

21

–9

Poland

1

17

Indonesia

8

13

59

China

13

11

–15

Germany

10

11

4

Sweden

8

9

17

Philippines

0.2

0.8

285

Other countries

0.8

0.7

–6

Total

373

358

–4

Source: Statistics Japan (preliminary data) | © Holzkurier 2018