Despite China’s overall negative economic context in 2015, and the slowdown in the Chinese housing market, the European sawmills managed to increase softwood lumber exports to the country.

According to the latest Eurostat figures, in the twelve months of 2015, EU’s softwood lumber exports to China increased by 29% over 2014. Finland has the lead, with a share of 29,7% of all European exports (and a 73% increase yoy), followed closely by the Netherlands (29,5% share) and Sweden (23,2%).

All in all, Scandinavian sawmills managed to surpass a volume of 1,1 million cubic meters in exports to China. In value, exports of the two Scandinavian countries reached EUR 234 million.

Finland 74,638,290    131,894,560    77 %
Sweden 84,282,270   102,533,050    22 %

Overall, in January-December 2015, the value of EU exports to China reached EUR 282 million, higher by 15% as compared to January-December 2015.

(Source: globalwoodmarketsinfo.com)