BERLIN: German exports of planed softwood lumber decreased by 7% in the third quarter vis à vis last year’s comparative quarter to 231,918m³. According to information published by the Federal Statistical Office, deliveries to customers in Europe were 14% below the previous year’s figure at 144,033m³. Significant declines in exports were recorded, for example, to Belgium (-37%), the Netherlands (-29%) and Great Britain (-9%). The decreased deliveries within Europe were only partially compensated by a 6% increase in exports to countries outside Europe to 87,885m³.
Accumulated over the first nine months, exports declined by 7% to 696,414m³. Deliveries to European customers decreased by 4% to 436,292m³. An increase in exports to Great Britain (+27%) and Austria (+14%) could only partially compensate the lower level of exports to the Netherlands (-14%) and Belgium (-35%). Exports to countries outside of Europe fell more significantly by 13% to 262,122m³. In this connection, deliveries to the USA (-21%) and South Korea (-19%) declined at an above-average level.
