Global Trends Review

– With declining log inventories at the Chinese ports (about 40% lower than the same time last year) and an uptick in demand for wood in the domestic market, importation of logs has been trending upwards in the...

– On May 1, insolvency proceedings on the bankrupt German Pellets Group were opened. The company is now managed by insolvency administrator, and its mills are gradually acquired by various investors. – A trial is underway at the...

– The Japanese government has reassessed the state of the economy and cited weakness in consumer and corporate sentiment as undermining the progress made to-date. Domestic weakness is exacerbated by uncertainty in global markets and slowdown in emerging...

– A new deal is being negotiated for sawn softwood exports from Canada to the US market, after the 2006 Softwood Lumber Agreement expired last October, ITTO reported. The US president and Canadian prime minister announced at a...

– Imports of structural laminated lumber to Japan has been over 700,000 m3 in the recent years, so the market seems to be established, ITTO reported. Meantime, the prices declined because of sluggish market in 2015. The demand...

– According to rough estimations published by ITTO, log imports from the North America to Japan in 2015 were 2.444 million m3, 19.8% less than in 2014, which is the second annual decline in a row. Based on...

– The decline in Canada’s sawnwood exports to China has turned sawmills to look for alternative export markets. Possible candidates to make up for the weak low-grade lumber market in China are South Korea, Japan, India and other...

– In 2014, the DIY/home improvement world market turnover reached €424.85 bn. According to Fordaq quoting a report from the European Federation of DIY manufacturers (Fediyma), North America, with €269.6 bn, represents more than 63% of the world...

– UK’s forestry, wood and wood products sector is picking up after five years of low demand and little expansion, according to the UK Timber Trade Federation Statistical Review. A 10% rise in UK timber and panel products...

– In September, Canadian lumber production increased 5.2% from August up to 5563.5 thousand cubic metres. – In the upcoming years, Danzer will invest approximately €15 million in technologies to increase resource efficiency in hardwood production. Danzer plants...

– The consensus at the International Softwood Conference was that the industry is still dealing with the consequences of global recession in many areas. The international speaker line-up at the recent Amsterdam event highlighted different countries emerging from...

– Södra Wood is going to open sales offices and subsidiaries in the US and China. The Chinese office will be headquartered in Shanghai, the American one – in the southeastern part of the country. – Swedish family-run...