Global timber market review #17-2016

– Despite many talks regarding the renewal of the softwood lumber agreement between the US and Canada, the two sides aren’t close enough on numerous key issues. Martin Moen, the Canadian chief negotiator in the softwood lumber talks with the US, stated that is very unlikely that a new deal would be reached before the October 15 deadline, Fordaq reported quoting Scrap Monster.

– Stora Enso has opened its completely modernised sawmill in Murow, Poland, investing €28 million in its renewal to increase the mill’s capacity and improve its competitiveness. This investment enables to meet growing urban construction needs and better serve customers in Central and Eastern European markets, said Stora Enso’s CEO Karl-Henrik Sundstrom.

– The Japan Wood Products Export Promotion Council has made up four models of wood houses based on the Chinese wood building standard, ITTO reported. The models utilise Japanese species like cedar, cypress and larch. The models are different from Japanese houses, with higher ceilings: 3-4 metres on the first floor and 2.4-2.5 metres on the second floor. The Council is now planning to promote sales of domestic wood products and wooden houses to China.

More detailed review of global market trends of roundwood, lumber, wood panels and pellets as well as news of the Russian timber industry; exclusive articles and interviews; over 25 pages of price charts are available in our digital Russian Timber Journal.