Global destinations for Sweden's softwood lumber exports in the first half of 2015 |
In the first half of 2015, Sweden has exported about 6,7 million cubic meters of sawn and planed softwood lumber. This represents a 27% increase over the same period of 2014. The main export markets for the Swedish lumber were the United Kingdom and Egypt, followed by Germany and Norway.
In particular, exports to Egypt dropped by -7% over the same period of last year, down to a volume of 760,500 cbm. Exports to all other major destinations increased considerably. Shipments to the United States increased almost four times up to 151,000 cubic meters.
Overall, the increase in Swedish exports was supported by larger deliveries to Great Britain, Germany, China, Saudi Arabia and U.S. But even to Denmark, Algeria, Morocco and Belgium considerably more was exported.
Swedish shipments to the EU countries have increased by 26% with over 3,5 million cubic meters delivered.
Despite the dowturn in Egypt, exports to Africa rose by 11% to nearly 1,4 million cbm. More Swedish lumber was delivered to Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia.
Deliveries to Asia declined significantly, due to a boom in shipments to China (+46% higher as compared to the first half of 2014). Exports to Japan recovered well, despite the recent downward trend, and surged by 8%, up to 323,000 cbm.
Country (Top 15 destinations) | H1/2014 |
H1/2015 | Change in % |
United Kingdom | 1,103,159 | 1,376,165 | +25% |
Egypt | 819,362 | 760,557 | -7% |
Germany | 414,769 | 524,412 | +26% |
Norway | 392,256 | 475,961 | +21% |
Denmark | 350,337 | 433,939 | +24% |
Japan | 298,604 | 323,689 | +8% |
Algeria | 234,585 | 320,478 | +37% |
China | 198,177 | 289,937 | +46% |
Saudi Arabia | 136,077 | 250,470 | +84% |
Morocco | 166,504 | 248,118 | +49% |
Belgium | 136,308 | 176,623 | +30% |
France | 161,314 | 166,438 | +3% |
USA | 40,400 | 151,788 | +276% |
Poland | 62,134 | 95,973 | +54% |
Spain | 48,111 | 85,247 | +77% |
Others | 786,245 | 1,087,939 | 38% |
Total | 5,348,342 | 6,767,734 | +27% |