Strong growth in sawnwood consumption in furniture and construction has accelerated the global timber trade. Worldwide sawnwood shipments could surpass 2007 highs worldwide, according to preliminary data from Wood Resources Quarterly. Increased demand for timber in Europe and the MENA region (Middle East and Maghreb) has led to an increase in sawnwood exports from the Nordic countries and Russia.
Lumber prices, as opposed to metal, were at the highest levels in Sweden and Finland. Exports from Sweden increased by 7 percent in 2014. Total annual supply of sawnwood from the country reached its highest level since 2008. Expansion of timber markets for these countries has been observed in the UK, Denmark and Egypt.
Russian exporters raised their export volumes, taking full advantage of the weakening ruble. Deliveries in the second half of 2014 reached record highs. China was the largest export market for Russian sawnwood. Russian sawnwood exports to China grew by 11 percent during 2014. However, the average export value had a slight decline during the 3rd quarter.
Despite the decline in home sales, China's sawnwood imports increased by 5 percent in 2014. The average price of imported sawnwood in the country also hit record highs.
