Press release: Rapid slowdown in North African lumber import

8/23/2016

Softwood lumber import in North Africa from leading exporters in Europe and North America decreased by no less than 38% in June and the trend line is falling further. The North African softwood lumber import was 3.91 million m³ during January-June (-12% compared to 2015). Import in the main countries, Egypt and Algeria, decreased by 11% and 17% respectively. Pine lumber totally dominates import in the region and falling demand has now put a pressure on prices. The average export price of pine lumber in Sweden and Finland is down approximately 6% compared to 2015.

The lumber import in the Middle East during January-June is down 15% compared to 2015. All countries in the region show falling figures except United Arab Emirates and Yemen. Main suppliers to the region are Russia (-18%) and Romania (-25%). The import is now at the lowest level since 2009.

For more information contact:
Jenny Wessung, CEO
Woodstat AB 
jenny.wessung@woodstat.com
https://www.woodstat.com 


About Woodstat
Since 2007 Woodstat delivers comprehensive statistics and analysis to sawmills, forest owners and banks across the world. Woodstat publishes approximately 400 issues of the newsletter "Market News" every year. The Market News are concise and contain the latest market statistics for the manufactured lumber product industry. Woodstat's charts collection is available at www.woodstat.com and contains hundreds of relevant diagrammatic data for anyone working in the wood or forest industry.