Europe's consumption of softwood lumber fell dramatically after 2007 as a direct consequence of the collapse in construction. What prevented an even greater decline in lumber consumption was a continued solid activity in renovation and maintenance of buildings, as Woodstat reported.
Construction in Europe is estimated to increase gradually until 2019 and laying the foundation for an increase in European lumber consumption.
"We anticipate that lumber consumption will increase at the same pace as construction in the next few years, but it is also, however, a prognosis that is characterized by uncertainty due to Brexit, development in China and the U.S. etc., " says Jenny Wessung, CEO of Woodstat.
Consumption of softwood lumber this year is estimated to about 89 million cubic metres, which represents an increase of about 1.5 million cubic metres compared to 2015. The annual increase during 2017 to 2019 will be about the same size according to Woodstat's forecast.
The increase in consumption is mainly due to all new construction of housing and to some extent other building construction. Renovation and maintenance of housing are expected to remain at a high stable level.
Although consumption is now expected to increase in the coming years, the level of 2019 is significantly lower than before the financial crisis.
