Business Trends Abroad
Brazil Wood Product Exports Drop Sharply
Brazil – According to the most recent data available Brazilian exports of wood-based products (except pulp and paper) decreased 34 percent in value compared to March 2025, from US$340.4 million to US$226.1 million.
Pine sawnwood exports decreased 16 percent in value between March 2025 (US$63.3 million) and March 2026 (US$53.0 million). In volume, exports decreased 11 percent over the same period, from 263,000 cubic meters to 235,200 cubic meters.
Tropical sawnwood exports decreased two percent in volume, from 23,700 cubic meters in March 2025 to 23,200 cubic meters in March 2026. In value, exports increased 11 percent from US$9.5 million to US$10.5 million over the same period.
Pine plywood exports decreased 44 percent in value in March 2026 compared to March 2025, from US$94.9 million to US$53.4 million. In volume, exports decreased 40 percent over the same period, from 298,700 cubic meters to 178,700 cubic meters.
Tropical plywood exports increased 26 percent in volume, from 1,600 cubic meters in March 2025 to 1,900 cubic meters in March 2026. In value, exports increased 19 percent from US$2.7 million in March 2025 to US$3.4 million in March 2026.
As for wooden furniture, exports decreased nine percent in value, from US$54.4 million in March 2025 to US$49.3 million in March 2026.
Vietnamese Wood And Wood Product Exports Decline Year-On-Year Despite Monthly Rebound
Vietnam – According to the most recent data provided by the Vietnam Customs Office, Vietnam’s wood and wood product (W&WP) exports showed a mixed performance in March 2026, with a strong month-on-month recovery but a sharp year-on-year decline.
W&WP exports reached US$1.15 billion in March, rising 19 percent compared to February 2026 but falling 22 percent compared to March 2025. Of the total, wood product exports accounted for US$760 million, up 27 percent month-on-month but down 25 percent year-on-year.
For the first quarter of 2026, W&WP exports totaled US$3.7 billion, representing a five percent decline compared to the same period in 2025. Wood product exports were valued at US$2.4 billion, down 10 percent year-on-year.
Exports to the European Union recorded strong growth. In March 2026, W&WP exports to the EU reached US$92 million, up 24 percent from February and 61 percent higher than in March 2025. Over the first three months of the year, exports to the EU totaled US$252 million, marking a 57 percent increase compared to the same period in 2025.
On the import side, Vietnam’s demand for Poplar logs increased significantly. Imports in March 2026 were estimated at 42,100 cubic meters, valued at US$14.7 million, up 21 percent in volume and 25 percent in value compared to February. Year-on-year, this represented a 46 percent rise in volume and a 24 percent increase in value. In the first quarter, Poplar imports reached 107,200 cubic meters, worth US$37.9 million, up 51 percent in volume and 36 percent in value.
In contrast, imports of raw wood (logs and lumber) declined in February 2026. Volumes totaled 381,400 cubic meters, valued at US$128.7 million, down 39 percent month-on-month in both volume and value. Compared to February 2025, imports fell 17 percent in volume and 12 percent in value. However, over the first two months of 2026, raw wood imports reached 1.0 million cubic meters, worth US$338.1 million, up 16 percent in volume and 24 percent in value year-on-year.
Non-timber forest product (NTFP) exports also recorded growth. In March 2026, exports were estimated at around US$80 million, increasing 44 percent compared to February and two percent year-on-year. For the first quarter, NTFP exports generated US$235.66 million, up 13 percent compared to the same period in 2025.
Overall, the data points to uneven momentum in Vietnam’s wood sector, with improving monthly trends but continued pressure on an annual basis.
Timber Markets In Central And West Africa Remain Subdued
Africa – The timber sector in Central and West Africa is operating in an environment shaped by geopolitical uncertainty and persistently weak international demand. Ongoing conflict-related tensions are weighing on market confidence and complicating short-term prospects.
Overall market conditions remain largely unchanged. Chinese interest in Okoume has shown slight improvement, but European markets remain quiet, with no visible recovery in demand. In the Middle East, activity is still slow but relatively steady, although rising tensions are adding uncertainty. The coming weeks are expected to provide a clearer indication of how these factors will affect trade flows.
At the same time, logistics costs are increasing. Shipping companies are announcing freight rate hikes, adding pressure to an already cautious market. Global demand remains subdued, and geopolitical developments continue to influence sentiment.
In Gabon, demand remains difficult, though some signals are more encouraging. The return of Chinese demand for Okoume is a notable development, supported by additional orders from the Middle East. This is providing some support to sawmills.
At the same time, competition from low-priced Brazilian Pine remains strong, particularly in markets such as the Philippines and the Middle East, continuing to weigh on African species.
Structural constraints persist. Electricity supply remains unstable, with frequent outages despite assurances from authorities. Port operations in Owendo are functioning normally, and container availability is stable.
Overall, the sector shows limited signs of improvement, but infrastructure issues continue to hold back a more sustained recovery.
In Cameroon, the sector is showing signs of operational recovery, although demand remains uneven across markets. Chinese operators have largely returned and are actively seeking new contracts, supporting activity.
However, production remains cautious. Many sawmills are operating on a single shift, reflecting weak demand and a wait-and-see approach. Three mills in Douala have reportedly closed and are relocating outside the city.
Container availability is sufficient, and port operations in Douala and Kribi are running normally, with no major disruptions.
Overall, the market remains subdued. Production is controlled, demand is selective, and price pressure continues, particularly due to competition from alternative materials.
In Republic of the Congo, the timber sector remains stable, with no major disruptions reported. Operations continue under normal conditions, although overall sentiment remains cautious.
Harvesting activities are ongoing without major constraints. In the Likouala region, transport conditions are improving due to road repairs. Timber flows are increasingly directed toward the ports of Kribi and Douala.
Container availability in Pointe-Noire is stable, and port operations are functioning normally. Export logistics remain well organized.
Overall, the sector continues to operate in a stable but subdued environment. Infrastructure improvements are supporting activity, but demand remains dependent on external markets, with limited short-term change expected.
Timber Prices In Tyrol Decline
Tyrol – Timber prices in Tyrol moved lower in April, with the decline most visible in lower-quality Spruce assortments and fuel wood. The latest monthly report for the non-state forest sector shows a market that is still functioning but losing momentum.
The main grade, Spruce sawlogs B/C 2a–3b, averaged €123.74 per cubic meter, down three percent from the previous month, based on reported volumes of 9,625 cubic meters. The sharper drop came in spruce sawlogs Cx, which fell to €97.29 per cubic meter, a decline of 8.9 percent on 6,210 cubic meter.
Not all segments followed. Spruce small-diameter logs (B/C) held steady at €99.68 per cubic meter, slightly up 0.3 percent, suggesting that industrial demand is still absorbing part of the supply even as construction activity remains weak.
Fuelwood showed the clearest seasonal shift. Softwood fuelwood dropped to €40.63 per cubic meter, down 12.1 percent, as heating demand faded with the end of winter.
Prices refer to roadside deliveries, excluding VAT, and are based on reported transactions across Tyrol. For several assortments in North and East Tyrol, no April figures were available, as the minimum threshold of 1,000 cubic meters and at least five transactions was not met.
Looking at the period from February to April, prices appear more stable. In North Tyrol, spruce sawlogs B/C 2a–3b averaged €127.03 per cubic meter, while Cx material stood at €99.58 per cubic meter and small-diameter logs at €100.70 per cubic meter. Fuelwood averaged €40.20 per cubic meter.
In East Tyrol, prices were slightly higher but based on smaller volumes. Spruce sawlogs B/C 2a–3b reached €130.71 per cubic meter, while Cx material was at €104.27 per cubic meter and fuelwood at €44.22 per cubic meter.
One indicator moving in the opposite direction is the longer-term trend in fuelwood. The Tyrol fuelwood price index (BHI) reached 230.74 percent in Q1 2026, up from 186.06 percent in 2025, reflecting the broader shift in energy markets despite the current seasonal decline.
The market is not under stress, but it is clearly softer, with pressure concentrated in lower-value assortments.
Finland’s Forest Industry Wood Use Driven By Domestic Supply
Finland – Roundwood consumption in Finland’s forest industry reached 66.1 million cubic meters in 2025, marking a six percent increase compared with the previous year, according to data published by Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke). Compared with the five-year average, volumes were up by one percent.
The increase was largely supported by domestic supply. Consumption of domestic roundwood, including sawlogs and pulpwood, totaled 62.6 million cubic meters, also up six percent year-on-year. In contrast, imports declined, with 3.5 million cubic meters of wood brought into the country, down nine percent from 2024. Imported wood accounted for around five percent of total roundwood use.
Both main assortments recorded growth. Sawlog consumption reached 27.2 million cubic meters (up six percent), while pulpwood use rose to 38.3 million cubic meters (up six percent). Pine accounted for the largest share of processed roundwood at 46 percent, followed by spruce at 39 percent and hardwoods at 15 percent.
The pulp industry remained the largest consumer of wood, using 36.1 million cubic meters of roundwood, an increase of five percent compared with the previous year. In addition, 8.6 million cubic meters of domestic chips and sawdust were utilized in pulp production, up nine percent, with the majority directed to chemical pulp operations.
European Union Industries Call For Further EUDR Simplification
European Union – From agriculture, livestock, forest, forest-based industries and feed to vegetable oil and protein meal, many sectors are calling on European Union (EU) institutions and Member States to take the necessary time to address their persistent concerns over the EU Deforestation Regulation. While well-intentioned, the EUDR risks undermining the competitiveness, resilience and autonomy of important European sectors if its implementation is not carefully reviewed and simplified.
Since January 2026, stakeholders have repeatedly highlighted fundamental flaws in the EUDR’s design and implementation, including the lack of legal certainty, unrealistic compliance requirements and administrative burdens, including for filing information in the central data repository, that disproportionately affect operators. These shortcomings risk causing market disruption, including supply shortages, increased costs and reduced competitiveness for EU sectors, while failing to effectively address the drivers of deforestation.
The targeted simplifications decided at the end of December 2025 and the one-year postponement of the EUDR’s implementation provided some relief, but many issues remain unresolved. The upcoming simplification review presents a crucial opportunity to address the concerns raised by these organizations in recent months and introduce targeted legislative adjustments that align the Regulation with its objectives while ensuring it is practical, proportionate and implementable in a harmonized manner on the ground.
They urge the European Commission, European Parliament and the Council of the European Union to prioritize simplification, avoid duplication and facilitate compliance, as well as to clarify key requirements.
It is also considered important to ensure a realistic implementation timeline, allowing operators to adapt without risking supply chain disruptions, while maintaining continuous and constructive dialogue with stakeholders to co-develop workable solutions that balance environmental objectives with economic and operational realities.
The credibility of the EUDR implementation depends on its ability to prevent products associated with deforestation from entering supply chains while safeguarding the viability of European primary producers and industries. The organizations state that they are ready to contribute to this process and call for urgent, targeted action to make the Regulation fit for purpose.
German Furniture Industry Saw Uneven Start To 2026
Germany – The German Furniture Industry Association has published official sales statistics for individual segments. According to the most recent data available kitchen furniture manufacturers bucked the generally negative trend across the entire industry with a positive result.
The kitchen furniture industry recorded sales of €472 million in February, an increase of 0.2 percent compared to the same month last year. For the period from January to February 2026, sales amounted to €943 million, an increase of almost 10 percent. However, the association believes that the strong increase in sales in January (plus 21 percent) should be taken into account due to statistical distortions at the turn of the year and the weak level of sales in the previous year.
The start of the year was significantly worse for companies in the upholstered furniture industry. In February, they recorded sales of around 72 million euros, a decrease of 13.6 percent compared to the same month last year. In the first two months of 2026, sales totaled almost 183 million euros, a decrease of 12.4 percent.
Business figures also declined for manufacturers of living room, dining room, and bedroom furniture. In February, companies in this segment recorded sales of approximately €381 million – a decrease of 7.9 percent compared to the same month last year. For the period from January to February 2026, sales amounted to just under €741 million (a decrease of 8.6 percent).
