China- A more attractive destinaton for the European lumber

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IHB
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After a booming 2013, when European sawmills tripled their exports to China, it seems that the start of 2014 continues on the same pattern. Backed by an expanding Chinese housing market and a corresponding rising timber demand, the EU countries begin to make their presence felt in China, although at lower levels than the traditional Chinese trading partners. Even if Russia, Canada, US and more recently New Zealand are the major lumber suppliers for China, Europe has managed to make a successful breakthrough which is very promising for the upcoming years.

Conversely, China is now EU's eleventh worldwide softwood lumber destination, being close to a share of almost 3% in the first four months of 2014.

According to the latest Eurostat figures, through April 2014, EU softwood lumber exports to China increased in value by 36% over the same period of 2013, to a total of nearly €90 million.

Finland, the main 2013 exporting country, slowed down its deliveries to China, with an increase of only 14%, leaving the lead to Sweden which accelerated exports by 51%. Germany managed to expand deliveries to China by 50%, up to almost EUR 20 million.

In terms of export share, Sweden tops with 35%, followed by Finland (29%) and Germany (22%). Altogether, the three countries account for 88% of all EU softwood lumber shipments to China. 

The first three exporting countries (Sweden, Finland and Germany) have an overall share of 87% of all European softwood lumber exports to China.

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