WRQ: Europe Sawmills Boosted Production, Exports

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The latest Wood Resources Quarterly (WRQ) report cited increased production and expanded exports by European sawmills to overseas destinations in 2020. The share of shipments to MENA, the U.S. and Japan surged to 45%, with shipments to China recording the highest jump.

According to WRQ, Sweden, Finland, Germany, and Austria emerged as the four largest producers and exporters of softwood lumber in Europe. The combined production by these four countries accounted for 55% of the region’s total lumber production. Also, these four countries contributed to almost two-thirds of the total European lumber export volume in 2020.

The total lumber export volume by Russia in 2020 stood at levels close to 2019. The exports by the country had hit a new record high in Q3. However, activities slowed down further in Q4. China continued to be the largest export market destination for Russian lumber, accounting for 56% of total exports during the year.

Meantime, the total lumber import volume by China fell drastically by 30% in 2020, with volumes just over 24 million cubic metre. The reduced imports by the country in Q4 were mainly due to high lumber inventories built up during the prior quarters of the year. The forecast revival in construction and manufacturing sectors will likely boost import volumes in 2021, WRQ said.

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