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Global trade of softwood lumber increased in Q1 2019: WRQ

Global trade of softwood lumber increased in the Q1/19, U.S. lumber prices were substantially lower than in early 2019 and Russian lumber exports are on the rise, reports the Wood Resource Quarterly.

Global softwood lumber trade

Global trade of softwood lumber reached 120 million m3 in 2018, the second highest level on record. The uptick in demand for lumber continued in early 2019, with most of the major lumber-exporting countries increasing their shipments as compared to early 2018.

Out of the top-ten exporting countries, the largest year-over-year increases (in percentage) were in Ukraine, Russia, the U.S., Chile and Germany. Lumber exports from Ukraine have taken off dramatically after the country banned practically all exports of softwood logs in 2017.

Lumber markets – North America

The free fall of lumber prices in the U.S. came to a halt in early 2019, when prices were close to a four-year low. During the spring prices rose modest in both the U.S. South and the U.S. West. However, prices were substantially lower than their record highs in the 1H/18.

Oversea supply of softwood lumber to the U.S. has always been a fairly small share of the total import volume. Canadian supply has historically accounted for 94-97 per cent of total imports, only declining when U.S.lumber prices have been high, thus attracting imports from Europe and Latin America. However, non-Canadian imports have increased for six consecutive years and in 2018 reached their highest level seen in 11 years, reports the Wood Resource Quarterly (WRQ).

Softwood lumber exports from Canada were down six per cent year-over-year in 2018, with the biggest decline being in shipments to China. Despite efforts by Canada’s lumber industry to diversify its export shipments, 80 per cent of total exports were destined for the U.S. market in the Q3/18 – a three-year high. However, this share fell to 76 per cent in the Q1/19 when exports to China rose again.

Lumber markets – Northern Europe

For the first time in five years, Swedish exports of softwood lumber fell year-over-year in 2018. The biggest declines from 2017 to 2018 were in exports to Asia and the MENA region, while shipments to the European market remained practically unchanged. The European share of total exports from Sweden reached 67 per cent in 2018, the highest level seen since 2011. The MENA region accounted for just over 18 per cent of total shipments, the second lowest share in ten years. Export prices (in U.S. dollars) have stayed high during 2018 and actually averaged the highest level seen since 2014.

Lumber markets – China

Despite much uncertainty in the near future for the Chinese economy, lumber imports rose unexpectedly in the Q1/19 by as much as 14 per cent, as compared to the same quarter in 2018, according to the WRQ. Most of the increase was due to increases in shipments from Russia and Canada, while supply from Europe and Latin America declined. Import prices took a substantial hit in the past year, falling from an average of $335/m3 in March 2018 to $288/m3 in March 2019.

Lumber markets – Russia

Russia increased exports of softwood lumber by seven per cent from 2017 to 2018 to reach almost 30 million m3. This was the sixth consecutive year that exports have gone up from the previous year. Of the five largest export markets (China, Uzbekistan, Egypt, Azerbaijan and Japan), only Japan imported less lumber from Russia in 2018 than in the previous year.

Global lumber, sawlog and pulpwood market reporting is included in the 56-page quarterly publication Wood Resource Quarterly (WRQ). The report, which was established in 1988 and has subscribers in over 30 countries, tracks sawlog, pulpwood, wood chip, lumber and pellet prices, trade and market developments in most key regions around the world. For more information about our market reports, please go to www.WoodPrices.com