Global timber market review #5-2016

– 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 was still weak after consumption tax hike in 2014; users restrained from future purchases in fear of price drop and shifted to purchase from domestic manufacturers.

– Following a period of downward price pressure last year, the softwood pulp market stabilized in early 2016 and the outlook is now improving. As a result, a number of global price initiatives have already been announced, as Södra reports in a press release. In the expectation of a stronger global market and solid demand, Södra will increase its market price for NBSK deliveries in Europe to $810/t, effective from April 1st 2016.

– Germany’s Siempelkamp Group will position itself with a stronger international focus in future, and will make greater use of its foreign production locations. With this move, Siempelkamp is reacting to new competitive situations, and to the weakening of originally strong markets such as Russia and Brazil. In recent years, Siempelkamp has consistently been expanding its manufacturing facilities internationally in the Czech Republic and China.

– Following an increase in sales of 2.8% in 2014, the German wood industry continued its growth in 2015 with a rise of 3.1%, Fordaq reported.

– The Economic Development and Trade Ministry of Ukraine proposed to revoke a ban on exports of roundwood that allegedly causes alarm among the EU member states. According to Maksym Nefyodov, Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade, a better option would be the introduction of new mechanisms that both protect the domestic market and meet the requirements and interests of the WTO.

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.