Industry News Markets
Global softwood lumber trade reaches record-high in 2017: WRQ

Of the 10 largest lumber-exporting countries in the world, Russia, Finland, Austria and Ukraine increased shipments the most year-over-year during the first half of 2017. Russia alone, has accounted for 22 per cent of global lumber trade so far in 2017, which is up from 15 per cent 10 years ago, according to the WRQ. Canada’s seven consecutive years of expanding shipments may reach an end this year with export volumes having declined 2.2 per cent during the 1H/17.

Lumber markets – North America
U.S. softwood lumber production in 2017 reached the highest level seen in 10 years. The biggest increase came in the southern states, but other regions of the country also had healthy production gains year-over-year. The higher domestic production levels resulted in decreased demand for imported lumber as U.S. lumber consumption was up by only one percent from 2016. The strong market for lumber in the US led to record high lumber prices in both the US and Canada in late 2017 and early 2018.

Lumber markets – Northern Europe
Softwood lumber production in Finland reached a ten-year high of 11.9 million m3 in 2017. The higher production was driven by expanding lumber exports, particularly to China. High demand for lumber from Europe, Asia and the U.S. in late 2017 pushed export prices in the Nordic countries to their highest levels in almost three years.

Lumber markets – China
Over the past two years, prices for imported softwood lumber to China have been steadily rising and in January 2018 reached their highest levels since March 2015. Lumber supply from Russia and North America has generally been the lowest cost lumber imported to China, while lumber from Chile, Sweden and Finland typically is at the higher end of the price spectrum.

Russia and Canada continue to be the major suppliers, but their total market share has shrunk from 81 per cent in 2015 to 76 per cent in 2017, with particularly Nordic mills increasing their presence in this fast-growing market.

Lumber market – Japan
Although lumber imports to Japan fell in the 4Q/17, the total volume for the year was up slightly for the second consecutive year. The biggest changes in supply over the past few years have been reduced shipments from Canada and increased imports from Finland and Sweden. Compared to most other major markets of the world, domestic and import prices for lumber have been surprisingly stable.

Lumber market – Northern Africa/Middle East
The Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) lumber markets grew fast from 2007 to 2015, reaching a peak of imported lumber of about 11.5 million m3 in 2015. Since then, import volumes have fallen by over 20 per cent to an estimated nine million m3 in 2017. This decline came as the result of financial and political uncertainties in many countries in the region. Additionally, Finland and Sweden began redirect their sales to meet growing wood demand in China and other European nations.

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. To subscribe to the WRQ, please go to www.woodprices.com.