The export of softwood lumber to China from leading exporting countries amounted to approximately 2.17 million m3 in March (-6% compared to 2017), Woodstat reported. The export totaled 5.60 million m3 during January-March (-6% compared to 2017). The trend line for the export of softwood lumber to China decreases further, but remains at a very high level.
The Russian market share in the Chinese lumber market is increasing at a record high level. The smoothed line for the Canadian market share is decreasing at a very low level for the country. The market share trend for the leading exporters in Europe is decreasing slightly but remains at a high level for the region. As shown in the chart, there is a strong correlation between the Russian and Canadian market share. Note that these are smoothed series that result in lagging trend lines that do not reflect major changes in individuals months.
Among the European exporters, the Finnish market share in the Chinese lumber market is decreasing but remains at a high level. Sweden's market share trend is increasing to approximately 30%. The German market share levels off at a very low level for the country. The trend line for Ukraine's share is clearly increasing to 15%. Note that these are smoothed series that result in lagging trend lines that do not reflect major changes in individuals months.
The main exporter Russia increased the export by 1% during January-March (compared to 2017). Ukraine increased the most (+618%), followed by the U.S. (+65%). Canada decreased by 26% during that period.
