TOKYO: Import of European lumber to Japan during January and June this year was 1,144,000 cubic metres, 19.2% less than the same period of last year due to slower demand. This is the lowest first half import in last 5 years, ITTO reportes.
Structural laminated lumber market was inactive so that import of lamina from major sources decreased. However, since last spring, import from Austria, Estonia and Czech increased after whitewood KD stud supply declined and the inventory dropped in Japan.
The demand changed so much compared to the first half of last year when the demand increased before the consumption tax increase since April.
Monthly import during January and June last year was about 250,000 cubic metres but for first three months this year, monthly import had been less than 200,000 cubic metres although it increased to 210,000 cubic metres in April and May.
