Business Trends Abroad
German Sawmills Warn Competitiveness Remains Under Pressure
Germany – Germany’s sawmill and wood industry is facing a difficult competitive environment, with weak construction demand, high energy and raw-material costs, trade barriers and timber supply questions weighing on companies, according to the German Sawmill and Wood Industry Association (DeSH).
The DeSH brought members together in Frankfurt for its first members’ day under a new format. According to the association, the event focused on the competitiveness of Germany’s sawmill and wood industry.
DeSH said the economic situation for the sector has deteriorated further since the beginning of 2026. The association pointed to weak construction demand in Germany and export markets, high energy and raw-material costs, and increasing trade barriers as key factors placing pressure on sawmills and wood processors.
One of the main topics discussed was the need to secure domestic raw-material supply. For sawmills, reliable access to roundwood remains a central competitiveness issue, especially when demand is weak and cost pressure is high.
The association also called for better framework conditions for the sector. DeSH said the German sawmill and wood industry needs conditions that support the long-term viability of companies and strengthen Germany as a wood-processing location.
Gabon Steps Up Forestry Enforcement As Kobe-Kobe Port Project Advances
Gabon – Gabon is tightening oversight of its forestry sector while moving forward with major port infrastructure that could improve timber export logistics and support wider industrial development.
Across Central and West Africa, the timber sector is increasingly being shaped by two major themes: stronger regulatory oversight and infrastructure investment. Governments are focusing more closely on taxation, legality and traceability, while also investing in ports, logistics corridors and industrial projects designed to improve export competitiveness.
In Gabon, the government has stepped up enforcement efforts across the forestry sector, targeting approximately 50 companies that reportedly failed to pay felling taxes over the past three years.
Through a dedicated Forestry Task Force, authorities are increasing scrutiny of tax compliance, concession obligations and regulatory payments. The initiative is expected to generate revenue for the government while reinforcing oversight of forestry operators.
U.S. officials also highlighted the commercial interest in preventing illegal wood products from entering U.S. supply chains in violation of the Lacey Act. This underlines the growing link between forest governance in producing countries and market access in major consuming markets.
Infrastructure is another key part of Gabon’s strategy. President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema visited the construction site of the future Kobe-Kobe deep-water port following the signing of a partnership agreement with Africa Global Logistics.
Once completed, the port could significantly improve export efficiency for timber, mining products and other commodities, while positioning Gabon as a logistics hub for Central Africa.
The International Tropical Timber Organization report also listed West African log and sawnwood export prices. These provide regional price context for species traded from Central and West Africa, including Okoume, which remains important in Gabon’s timber sector.
For sawnwood, prices varied widely by species and specification. Okoumé FAS GMS was listed at EUR420 per cubed meter FOB, while Okoume merchantable was listed at EUR380 per cubed meter. Higher-priced species included Assamela and selected Padouk and Iroko specifications.
For Gabon’s timber sector, the latest developments point to a stricter operating environment but also a stronger logistics outlook. Companies are likely to face closer checks on tax and concession compliance, while infrastructure investment could improve the country’s export position over the medium term.
U.S. Tropical Hardwood Imports Edge Higher As China-Related Wood Product Imports Collapse
China/U.S. – U.S. imports of sawn tropical hardwood improved slightly according to the most recent data available, but the wider market continued to show sharp weakness in hardwood plywood, flooring, mouldings and wooden furniture imports from China.
U.S. imports of sawn tropical hardwood rose two percent in April (the most recent data available at press time) compared with the previous month, both in volume and value. At 15,776 cubed meters, import volume was nine percent higher than in April 2025.
Imports from Malaysia and Ecuador both increased by more than 70 percent, while imports from Indonesia rose 37 percent. Even with the April gain, imports from Indonesia remained far below last year’s level and were down 67 percent for the year so far.
Overall, U.S. sawn tropical hardwood imports were slightly higher than last year, up three percent through April.
In Canada, imports of sawn tropical hardwood fell 18 percent in April compared with March and were down more than 34 percent from April 2025. Through April, Canada’s imports of sawn tropical hardwood were down 18 percent compared with the same period last year.
U.S. imports of hardwood plywood fell for a third consecutive month, dropping five percent in April from March. The 163,180 cube meters imported in April was 28 percent lower than in the same month last year.
Imports from China and Indonesia continued to weaken, with both down 65 percent for the year so far. Imports from Vietnam also declined sharply, falling 30 percent in April and down by half for the year to date. Total U.S. hardwood plywood imports for the year so far were down 32 percent from the previous year.
The decline in U.S. imports from China has been especially sharp. The U.S. Census Bureau reported that the U.S. imported US$60.87 billion worth of goods from China through March 2026, compared with US$102.66 billion in the same period of 2025, a 41 percent drop.
U.S. imports of tropical hardwoods and related products from China showed similar weakness. Wooden furniture imports from China were down 54 percent so far this year. Imports fell to just over US$80 million in April, the lowest monthly level in at least 15 years.
Imports of hardwood plywood from China were down 65 percent, hardwood mouldings were down 84 percent, hardwood flooring was down 40 percent, and assembled flooring panels were down 73 percent over the first four months of the year.
The report also notes that the U.S. President signed an Executive Order to strengthen enforcement of U.S. Customs laws. The Order directs the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection to strengthen several requirements for Importers of Record.
Vietnam Wood Exports Show Signs Of Recovery As Market Conditions Improve
Vietnam – Vietnam’s wood and wood product exports remained under pressure in the first five months of 2026, according to the most recent data available, but the decline has narrowed as the U.S. market stabilizes and demand improves in some product categories.
According to Vietnam Customs, exports of wood and wood products reached US$1.5 billion in May 2026, down four and a half percent compared with April but up six percent compared with May 2025.
According to the most recent data available, the first five months of 2026, Vietnam’s wood and wood product exports reached US$7.1 billion, an increase of four percent year on year. Exports of wood products alone reached US$4.5 billion, down four percent compared with the same period last year.
The U.S. remained Vietnam’s largest export market. In May 2026, exports to the U.S. reached US$780 million, down one percent from April and eight percent compared with May 2025. In January-May 2026, exports to the U.S. reached US$3.5 billion, down around seven percent year on year.
The U.S. continued to dominate Vietnam’s wood and wood product exports, accounting for around half of total export value. Although exports to the U.S. were still below last year, the pace of decline has narrowed compared with earlier months.
Wooden seats were one of the stronger categories. In January-April 2026, Vietnam’s wooden seats exports to the US increased 7.2 percent year on year. Wooden doors also recorded positive growth, rising 11.4 percent over the same period.
U.S. wooden furniture imports fell sharply in the first quarter of 2026, but Vietnam performed better than the overall market. According to the report, total U.S. wooden furniture imports were valued at US$3.96 billion in the first quarter, down 24.8 percent year on year.
Imports from Vietnam fell 17.5 percent, a smaller decline than the overall market and much less severe than the decline in imports from China. As a result, Vietnam’s share of U.S. wooden furniture imports increased from 44 percent in the first quarter of 2025 to 48.8 percent in the first quarter of 2026.
Vietnam’s total wood product exports to the U.S. reached US$2.74 billion in January-April 2026, down 6.5 percent year on year.
Wooden furniture remained the largest category, with exports valued at US$2.39 billion, down 5.3 percent. Wooden seats showed positive growth, rising 7.2 percent to US$987.4 million. Bedroom furniture fell 6.9 percent, while living and dining room furniture declined 12.7 percent.
Kitchen furniture exports dropped 15.5 percent, office furniture fell 31.8 percent, and panels and flooring declined 22.1 percent. Wooden doors were one of the few categories to grow, rising 11.4 percent year on year.
Japan became Vietnam’s second-largest destination for wood and wood product exports, with exports rising by more than 23 percent compared with the same period last year.
China remained the third-largest destination. The report notes that exports of wood chips to China continued to grow, rising by about 3.5 percent in recent periods.
Vietnam’s raw wood imports also increased. In April 2026, raw wood imports reached 638,900 cubed meters, up 23.5 percent compared with the previous month and 21.7 percent year on year.
In January-April 2026, Vietnam imported 2.24 million cubed meters of raw wood, up 8.1 percent compared with the same period in 2025.
Imports of raw wood from Europe reached 93,000 cubed meters in May 2026, up 3.7 percent compared with April and 22.3 percent year on year. In January-May 2026, imports from Europe totaled 387,380 cubed meters, down 7.5 percent compared with the same period last year.
Switzerland Targets 1 Million Cubed Meter Increase In Domestic Wood Harvest
Switzerland – Switzerland’s new Integrated Forest and Wood Strategy 2050 include a clear industry goal: increasing the domestic wood harvest by one million cubic meters and strengthening the use of Swiss timber in local processing.
The Swiss Federal Council approved the new Integrated Forest and Wood Strategy 2050 in December 2025, according to Lignum’s latest annual report. The strategy is intended to bring together Switzerland’s existing forest and wood policies under one broader framework.
Lignum says the Swiss forest and wood sector was actively involved in the development of the strategy and also wants to take part in its implementation. The sector argues that strengthening the role of forests and wood requires a higher harvest of Swiss timber, combined with processing the raw material into intelligent products inside the country.
This is an important signal for sawmills, timber processors and wood construction suppliers. A higher domestic harvest could support local raw material availability, reduce dependence on external supply and help create more value within the Swiss wood chain.
The report points to the need for new and unconventional approaches to improve financial incentives for harvesting. It also calls for targeted investment in additional forest access, especially in pre-Alpine and Alpine regions, where mobilization of additional timber can be more difficult.
Lignum also notes that federal savings plans under the Entlastungsprogramm (relief program) 27 were a challenge for the sector. According to the report, the industry successfully opposed severe cuts to the Wood Action Plan and supported a more proportionate federal savings policy.
This shows that forest and wood policy in Switzerland is entering an important phase. The new 2050 strategy gives the sector a stronger framework, but its impact will depend on implementation, funding and practical measures to mobilize more timber.
The target to increase harvesting by 1 million cubed meters is not only a forest policy issue. It is also a market issue for sawmills, construction timber producers, engineered wood manufacturers and companies promoting wood as a low-carbon building material.
If implemented effectively, the strategy could help Switzerland make better use of its domestic forest resources and strengthen local wood processing. But the report also makes clear that additional mobilization will require investment, incentives and cooperation across the full forest and wood value chain.
German Forestry And Sawmill Sectors Adopt New Roundwood Measurement Framework
Germany – The German Forestry Council (DFWR) and the German Sawmill and Timber Industry Association (DeSH) have brought the new Framework Agreement for the Mill Measurement of Logs (RVWV) 2026 framework agreement for factory measurement of roundwood into force, updating a central industry rulebook to current legal and technical standards.
The new RVWV 2026 went into force following the signing of a comprehensive document package by Christian Haase, president of the DFWR, and Dr. Stephan Lang, president of DeSH.
According to the DFWR, the RVWV has served since 2005 as the basis for billing-relevant dimension and quality determination in German mills. The revision was needed to close regulatory gaps and reflect recent technical developments in a legally secure way.
The RVWV 2026 is being published through a three-part document architecture designed to meet legal, technical and practical requirements.
The DFWR and DeSH said they will encourage broad application of the new agreement among their members and provide further information offers. The associations stated that their goal is for mills to apply the RVWV 2026 in future.
One of the central technical changes is the future use of the diameter at the physical center of the stem as the decisive basis for determining the billing measurement. This replaces the previously used diameter at the assortment center in this application area.
The DFWR said the adjustment responds to the requirements of legal metrology and ensures that only legally secure measurement values are used for billing.
The established fixed-angle measurement method will continue to be used. The assortment length will also continue to be used for deriving the billing measurement. At the same time, the diameter at the assortment center remains part of the RVWV and will continue to serve as a reference for quality classifications, including strength class determination.
For the first time, the revised framework includes an annex on the design and labelling of approved measurement protocols for factory measurement. DFWR said this should allow suppliers to clearly assign the measurement and calculation values and understand them in detail.
The update is intended to strengthen transparency in measurement and sorting results and create a consistent documentation basis. New provisions on partial stem recording have also been added, enabling the percentage allocation of the billing measurement of a measured long log into different quality zones.
DFWR described the RVWV 2026 as the result of a joint technical development process within the forest and wood value chain. The rulebook was developed by the joint working group on factory measurement of DFWR and DeSH, supported by the office of the Standing Committee RVR.
Recognized inspection bodies, equipment manufacturers and the Forest Research Institute of Baden-Württemberg were also involved to support practical expertise, technical feasibility and consistency with wider German roundwood measurement and sorting rules.
The RVWV 2026 gives Germany’s forestry and sawmill sectors an updated and more legally secure framework for factory measurement of roundwood. For suppliers and mills, the changes are intended to improve transparency, billing reliability and practical implementation across the timber value chain.
European Parliament Approves EU-U.S. Tariff Legislation Relevant For Wood Products Trade
Europe – The European Parliament has approved tariff legislation implementing the European Union’s (EU) commitments under the EU-U.S. trade framework, a move that may affect transatlantic trade in industrial goods, including wood and forest-based products.
According to the most recent data available, MEPs gave final approval to two pieces of legislation implementing EU tariff commitments under the August 2025 EU-U.S. joint statement.
For the wood sector, the decision is important because many forest products, including sawnwood, panels, pulp and paper, are traded as industrial goods. However, the European Parliament press release does not provide a product-by-product list for wood products, so the exact tariff impact for individual wood product categories should be checked against the final legal text and tariff schedules.
The main regulation on industrial and agri-food imports includes a sunset clause. The tariff preferences are set to expire on December 31, 2029, unless renewed.
By June 30, 2029, the European Commission will assess the trade effects of the regulation on EU industry, agriculture and small and medium-sized enterprises. The review will also look at changes in trade patterns with third countries before any possible extension is proposed.
Parliament and Council negotiators added stronger safeguards to the Commission’s original proposal. These include a safeguard mechanism if tariff preferences granted to the U.S. lead to import increases that threaten serious injury to EU industry, including agriculture.
The Commission will be able to start an investigation on its own initiative, or on the basis of information provided by one or more member states or by the European Parliament.
The Commission will also report quarterly to Parliament and the Council on changes in trade volumes and values of U.S. exports of the goods covered by the legislation.
The EU and the U.S. are major trading partners for wood, pulp, paper and other forest-based products. Changes in tariff treatment for industrial goods can influence import costs, sourcing decisions and competitiveness across the transatlantic supply chain.
For European importers, tariff-free treatment of U.S. industrial goods could support sourcing from U.S. suppliers where product categories are covered by the final legislation. For European producers, the safeguard and suspension clauses will be important tools to monitor if trade flows shift significantly or if the U.S. does not respect agreed tariff conditions.
Because the Parliament press release does not separately identify individual wood product lines, companies trading sawn timber, panels, pulp or paper should verify the final regulation and customs classifications before making commercial decisions.
The European Parliament’s approval of EU-U.S. tariff legislation could improve tariff conditions for U.S. industrial goods entering the EU, with potential relevance for wood and forest-based products. However, the exact effect on individual wood product categories depends on the final legal text and tariff classifications.
Cameroon Timber Exports Decline As Policy Pressure Pushes Local Processing
Cameroon – Cameroon’s timber exports declined in 2025, according to the most recent data available, but the structure of the sector remains largely unchanged, with sawnwood still leading shipments while log exports continue despite increasing policy restrictions.
According to data from Cameroon’s National Institute of Statistics, timber exports weakened in 2025, although sawnwood remained the leading export segment.
Cameroon exported 762,007 tons of sawnwood in 2025, generating CFA157.6 billion in revenue. This was below the 2021-2024 period, when sawnwood exports ranged between 895,572 tons and 1.5 million tons, with revenues between CFA170 billion and CFA212 billion.
Log exports also declined. Shipments fell to 349,611 tons in 2025, down by more than 100,000 tons year on year. This was the lowest level in five years, compared with volumes ranging from 475,401 tons to about 919,000 tons between 2021 and 2024.
Sawnwood continued to account for the bulk of Cameroon’s timber exports, even though both volumes and earnings were weaker than in the previous four years.
The decline suggests weaker market demand in 2025, but it also shows that the country’s timber export structure has not changed significantly. Sawnwood remains the main processed export product, while logs continue to hold ground in international markets.
Log exports were also under pressure. The 2025 volume of 349,611 tons was lower than the previous year and below the 2021-2024 range.
This decline comes as Cameroon and other Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC) countries continue to move toward a regional plan to ban log exports by 2028. The plan covers Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Chad and the Central African Republic.
The government has relied heavily on taxation to encourage local processing and reduce log exports. Between 2017 and 2024, export duties on logs rose from 17.5 percent to 75 percent of the FOB value, equal to an overall increase of about 350 percent.
Taxes on sawnwood also increased, but more gradually. According to the Cameroon Timber Industry Association, taxes on sawnwood rose by 165 percent between 2016 and 2023.
At the same time, the government has introduced incentives to support domestic value addition. Since 2023, equipment used for wood processing has been exempt from import taxes. The government has also set aside two industrial zones dedicated to wood processing.
Cameroon continues to face growing pressure from international markets and forest-governance initiatives to strengthen legality verification, traceability systems and sustainable forest management practices.
Compliance with timber regulations is becoming increasingly important for maintaining access to key export markets in Europe, Asia and North America.
Timber remains important, but growing interest in alternative forest-based livelihoods highlights broader opportunities within the country’s forest sector.
The International Tropical Timber Organization report also listed West African log and sawnwood export prices, giving wider regional context for Central and West African timber species traded in international markets.
Cameroon’s timber sector remains centered on sawnwood, while log exports continue despite increasing restrictions. The government’s policy direction is clear: higher taxes on raw log exports, incentives for wood processing and preparation for the regional CEMAC log export ban planned for 2028.
For timber companies, the key challenge will be adapting to a more processing-oriented and compliance-driven operating environment while maintaining access to international markets.
US Lumber Tariffs Face July Switch, But 10 Percent Wood Duty May Stay
U.S. – The U.S. softwood lumber importers faced another tariff deadline in late July, as the temporary Section 122 tariff is due to expire and a new Section 301 tariff package is being reviewed.
The current 10 percent Section 122 tariff was introduced in February 2026 and was set to expire, at the time of this writing, on July 24th, after its 150-day limit.
At the same time, the U.S. Trade Representative is considering new Section 301 tariffs linked to forced-labor enforcement. The proposal would place additional duties of 10 percent on some trading partners, including Canada, the EU, the UK and Mexico, and 12.5 percent on others, including China, India, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Australia and New Zealand.
For lumber exporters, the key point is that the proposed Section 301 package is not expected to stack on top of products already covered by Section 232 tariffs. Imported timber and lumber have already been subject to a 10 percent Section 232 duty since October 2025.
This means the effective tariff rate, at the time of press, for many lumber shipments may not change sharply through the July transition, but the legal basis of the duty could shift. That still matters for exporters, buyers and customs planning, especially while the final product scope is not yet confirmed.
Canadian softwood lumber exporters remain the most exposed to uncertainty, as they are already dealing with the long-running U.S.-Canada softwood lumber dispute, trade remedy duties and the newer Section 232 tariff layer.
