China increases 17.1% softwood lumber imports in first five months 2019

In January-May 2019, China increased softwood lumber imports by 17.1% year-on-year to 11.6 million m3, while average price declined 11.5% to $183 per m3, according to China Customs data. 

Russia continues to increase its lumber exports to China adding 18.3% in volume (7.0 million m3) and 7.3% in value ($1.2 billion) from January to May.  Canada’s softwood lumber exports to China jumped 43.2% to 2.3 million m3, while export value rocketed 29.1% to $430.5 million. Average price for softwood lumber supplied to China from Russia slid 9.3% to $171 per m3 and from Canada was down 9.9% to $190 per m3.

From January through May, softwood lumber exports from Finland to China fell 20.4% to 513.3 thousand m3 and export value decreased 27.9% to $118.2 million. Softwood lumber exports from Sweden dropped 20.2% to 311.1 thousand m3 with export value declined 40.1% to $59.6 million.