Japan’s housing market continues to fight an uphill battle, despite some signs of improvement. In February, Japan’s housing starts declined -3.7%, followed by a slight improvement in March of 1.5% to 35,448 units.
News in international markets
Brazilian Exports of Wood-Based Products Increased 57.5% Year-Over-Year in April 2021
According to the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), the value of Brazilian exports of wood-based products (except pulp and paper) in April 2021 amounted to US$376.4 million — an increase of 57.5% when compared to April 2020, when they were valued at US$238.9 million.
Bergkvist Siljan to Increase Production by 60% at their Insjön Sweden Sawmill
Bergkvist Siljan, a leading Swedish sawmilling group supplying sawn wood products to customers mainly in East Asia, Western Europe, and North Africa, announced that it has been granted by The Environmental Impact Assessment Delegation permission to increase the production of sawn wood products at their Insjön sawmill in Sweden, by approximately 60%, from 400,000 to 650,000 m3 per year.
Segezha Group Announces Plan to Consolidate CJSC Novoyeniseiskiy Wood Chemical Complex
Segezha Group, a Russian integrated forest products company, which operates forestry, sawmilling, plywood manufacturing and cross-laminated timber production, has announced its plans to consolidate 100% of CJSC Novoyeniseiskiy Wood Chemical Complex.
Russia Announces Export Duties on Green Lumber Effective July 1, 2021
According to a Russian government order signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin on Friday (5-21-21), an export tax as high as 10% will be imposed on the sales of several kinds of Russian wood.
Glennon Brothers to Purchase Rival Balcas
Subject to approval from competition regulators, Glennon Brothers, owners of timber processing plants in Ireland and Scotland, has announced that they have agreed to purchase Northern Ireland, County Fermanagh-based Balcas from owner SHV Energy.
Russian Government Confirms Log Ban Will Start in 2022
According to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Trutnev, the Russian government is not considering lifting the ban on the export of logs, which is scheduled to go into effect in 2022.
Kaamos Timber Investing in a New Sawmill in Mozyr Belarus, Selects Mühlböck as their Drying Technology Partner
Kaamos Timber, the Estonian wood industry company founded in 2003, has announced it is investing in a new sawmill in Mozyr, Belarus and they have selected Mühlböck as their drying technology partner. The new sawmill will incorporate the use of the Mühlböck dry kilns 1306 PRO.
Brazilian Exports of Wood-Based Products Increased 24% Year-Over-Year in March 2021
According to the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), the value of Brazilian exports of wood-based products (except pulp and paper) in March 2021 amounted to US$321.9 million — an increase of 24% when compared to March 2020, when they were valued at US$206.6 million.
After Sixteen Months, Australia Bushfires Sawlog Salvage Operations Coming to an End
The COVID-19 pandemic has created a housing construction boom in Australia. As a result, demand for Australian timber has soared. Much of the timber needed to meet that the growing housing demand came from sawlogs that were burnt during the summer bushfires of 2019–2020.