Wood Industry News from Russia

Vietnam remained the largest supplier as its share rose 8.3 pp; Canada had the largest decline, with shipments down 61%.

Vietnam remained South Korea’s largest supplier as its share fell 7.6 pp; China’s shipments rose 25% and Vietnam’s fell 25%

China had the largest increase at 9.1%, while Indonesia recorded the steepest decline at 33%

Solikamskbumprom is seeking $245 million from a Chinese company as more than 10 creditors pursue bankruptcy claims.

Developers launched 78,016 apartments; January–September launches were 603,542, up 6.3% from a year earlier.

Owner-built house completions were 23% lower and apartment-building completions 8% higher so far in 2026 compared with the same period last year.

Compared with the previous month, production was up 1.1%.

Compared with the previous month, production was down 5%.

Completions of owner-built houses fell 26% and those in apartment buildings rose 10% so far in 2026 compared with the same period last year.

Companies want third parties to conduct forest assessments instead of relying solely on state-controlled Roslesinforg and seek protection from lease termination over delays or quality disputes.

Regional constraints, limited plantation expansion and infrastructure barriers will restrict how much additional softwood roundwood reaches markets.

Malaysia gained 10 percentage points of U.S. hardwood plywood imports as the United States imported 581 thousand m3.

Prices increased for the second consecutive year after declining in 2023.

Canadian softwood lumber producers expect difficult conditions through 2026 as weaker demand, production curtailments and U.S. trade costs pressure operations.

The industry estimate puts chemical inputs at up to 40% of particleboard costs.

Latin America remains a low‑cost source at about 95 million m3 annually while Oceania’s supply may fall by roughly three million m3 by 2035.

A strong ruble, weaker demand in China and rail-logistics bottlenecks are the main factors behind the projected decline.

Government weighs rent freeze through 2028 and bankruptcy moratorium for forest-sector firms.

China's construction crisis and higher logistics costs have cut shipments, while Russia's downgraded economic outlook limits domestic absorption of growing supply.

The U.S. posts the steepest decline among the largest softwood lumber import markets, followed by Germany and China, while supplier volumes fall most for Canada, Russia, and Austria.

Weak lumber demand and price pressure in China, a stronger ruble, and high interest costs drove asset impairments, capacity curtailments, and lower fourth-quarter sales.

Industry groups seek a three-year bankruptcy moratorium as losses top 15 billion rubles.