France: Deficit in Wood Product Trade Increases
With a deficit of 5.1 billion euro in the last 12 months the trade balance of the wood industry increased again (4.9 billion euro in the previous period) after a brief period of stability in 2012. Exports and imports are rising at the same speed (3%) and therefore in absolute numbers the trade deficit is increasing.
Roundwood
Coniferous: In coniferous roundwood imports increased +33% in value and nearly tripled in volume. The increase is particularly strong in industrial qualities. The stats are strongly influenced by exceptionally strong imports from Belgium in January 2013 (631.875 m3).
Oak: Exports of oak logs more then doubled over the last 12 months on the back of strong demand from China. Exports to China now represent 38% of all oak log exports in volume but only 6,8% of exports in euro. Exports in value and volume are also strongly rising to Germany and the UK with Germany becoming the 2nd market in value for oak logs after Italy.
Beech: Beech log exports are stable. The latest data show no sign of a pick-up in exports to China.
Tropical: Imports of tropical logs continued to decline (-3% over the last 12 months). Exports of French hardwood logs increased 11% while imports increased 17%. Beech log exports are stable and the trend visible in China.
Sawn timber
Coniferous: In the 1st quarter of 2013 imports increased 10% and exports 4%. Oak: Exports increased 3% over the last 12 months and imports increased 9%. The trade excedent remained stable over the last 12 months at 63 million euro. There was no strong evolution in markets with Great Britain and the Benelux remaining the largest markets for French exports.
Beech: Exports increased 12% over the last 12 months and imports declined 18%. The trade excedent reached 31 million euro over the last 12 months. Exports increased strongly to Marocco which has become the 2nd market for beech exports after Spain. On the import side, imports from E.Europe are strongly receding.
Tropical species: Imports increased 2% coming back to their level of 2000-2001. Over the last 12 months volumes imported came for 39% from West Africa, for 47% from Brazil and 14% from SE Asia.
Mechanical work
Veneer sheets: Over the last 12 months exports declined 29% and imports declined 4%. The trade deficit in this area continues to increase.
Particle boards: Over the last 12 months exports increased 16% while imports decreased 1%.
Fibreboard: This area registered over the last 12 months a trade excedent of 35 million euro. Over the same period exports and imports increased 5%. Lamellas and profiles for flooring: The trade deficit increased over the last 12 months as exports declined 13% and imports increased 14%. Imports are strongly on the rise from China.
Barrels and barrel wood components: Trade remained strong in this area with an increase of 13% in exports. The US remained the 1st client (44% of exports) followed by Spain (12%), Italy (11%) and Australia (8%).
Furniture
Furniture & wooden chairs: Over the last 12 months exports increased 9% while imports increased 2%. The deficit stabilised over this period at 1,8 billion euro. But in the 1st quarter of 2013 imports rose faster and the trade deficit increased in this area.
Roundwood
Coniferous: In coniferous roundwood imports increased +33% in value and nearly tripled in volume. The increase is particularly strong in industrial qualities. The stats are strongly influenced by exceptionally strong imports from Belgium in January 2013 (631.875 m3).
Oak: Exports of oak logs more then doubled over the last 12 months on the back of strong demand from China. Exports to China now represent 38% of all oak log exports in volume but only 6,8% of exports in euro. Exports in value and volume are also strongly rising to Germany and the UK with Germany becoming the 2nd market in value for oak logs after Italy.
Beech: Beech log exports are stable. The latest data show no sign of a pick-up in exports to China.
Tropical: Imports of tropical logs continued to decline (-3% over the last 12 months). Exports of French hardwood logs increased 11% while imports increased 17%. Beech log exports are stable and the trend visible in China.
Sawn timber
Coniferous: In the 1st quarter of 2013 imports increased 10% and exports 4%. Oak: Exports increased 3% over the last 12 months and imports increased 9%. The trade excedent remained stable over the last 12 months at 63 million euro. There was no strong evolution in markets with Great Britain and the Benelux remaining the largest markets for French exports.
Beech: Exports increased 12% over the last 12 months and imports declined 18%. The trade excedent reached 31 million euro over the last 12 months. Exports increased strongly to Marocco which has become the 2nd market for beech exports after Spain. On the import side, imports from E.Europe are strongly receding.
Tropical species: Imports increased 2% coming back to their level of 2000-2001. Over the last 12 months volumes imported came for 39% from West Africa, for 47% from Brazil and 14% from SE Asia.
Mechanical work
Veneer sheets: Over the last 12 months exports declined 29% and imports declined 4%. The trade deficit in this area continues to increase.
Particle boards: Over the last 12 months exports increased 16% while imports decreased 1%.
Fibreboard: This area registered over the last 12 months a trade excedent of 35 million euro. Over the same period exports and imports increased 5%. Lamellas and profiles for flooring: The trade deficit increased over the last 12 months as exports declined 13% and imports increased 14%. Imports are strongly on the rise from China.
Barrels and barrel wood components: Trade remained strong in this area with an increase of 13% in exports. The US remained the 1st client (44% of exports) followed by Spain (12%), Italy (11%) and Australia (8%).
Furniture
Furniture & wooden chairs: Over the last 12 months exports increased 9% while imports increased 2%. The deficit stabilised over this period at 1,8 billion euro. But in the 1st quarter of 2013 imports rose faster and the trade deficit increased in this area.
