In the first five months of 2014, Germany's oak lumber exports have increased in volume by 12% as compared to the same period of 2013. Year-to-date exports totaled through May 40,550 cubic meters, while in value the total reached EUR 25,1 million. Traditional European markets for the German oak such as the Netherlands, Poland or Switzerland were on a declining trend in January-May 2014, while shipments to Denmark and the Czech Republic were more consistent and surged by 12% and 60% respectively.
The overall decline in German oak lumber exports to Europe was backed by a sharp increase to Asia. Deliveries to Vietnam almost tripled in volume and even more in value. Vietnam was in the first five months of 2014, the number one destionation for the German oak. Also shipments to China doubled both in volume and value, while those to Indonesia increased by about 40%.
The average export price was EUR 620 per cubic meter (Jan.-May 2013: EUR 643/cbm). The most expensive oak lumber was delivered to European countries: Switzerland (EUR 1320/cbm); Denmark (EUR 924/cbm). At the same time shipments to Asia were even three times less expensive: Vietnam (EUR 409/cbm); China (EUR 427/cbm).
Germany's oak lumber exports (differently processed); Top 10 destinations |
In volume (m3) | ||||
May 2013 |
May 2014 |
Jan.-May 2013 |
Jan.-May 2014 |
Change in %; Jan.-May 2013 to 2014 | |
Vietnam | 615 | 2,079 | 2,982 | 8,904 | 198% |
Netherlands | 1,542 | 1,104 | 5,648 | 5,245 | -7% |
China | 413 | 1,252 | 2,511 | 5,169 | 105% |
Poland | 1,136 | 718 | 6,527 | 4,341 | -33% |
Indonesia | 679 | 547 | 2,352 | 3,269 | 38% |
Denmark | 469 | 356 | 2,409 | 2,706 | 12% |
Switzerland | 397 | 326 | 1,959 | 1,625 | -17% |
Czech Republic | 210 | 290 | 817 | 1,325 | 62% |
Italy | 256 | 37 | 1,710 | 980 | -42% |
United Kingdom | 414 | 60 | 1,325 | 913 | -31% |
Others | 1,488 | 1,166 | 7,860 | 6,073 | -22% |
TOTAL | 7,619 | 7,935 | 36,100 | 40,550 | 12% |
Germany's oak lumber exports (differently processed); Top 10 destinations |
In value (€) | ||||
May 2013 |
May 2014 |
Jan.-May 2013 |
Jan.-May 2014 |
Change in %; Jan.-May 2013 to 2014 | |
Vietnam | 278,000 | 893,000 | 1,024,000 | 3,650,000 | 256% |
Netherlands | 852,000 | 675,000 | 3,531,000 | 3,628,000 | 3% |
China | 170,000 | 519,000 | 1,085,000 | 2,210,000 | 103% |
Poland | 607,000 | 382,000 | 3,547,000 | 2,546,000 | -28% |
Indonesia | 282,000 | 228,000 | 998,000 | 1,490,000 | 49% |
Denmark | 479,000 | 347,000 | 2,446,000 | 2,501,000 | 2% |
Switzerland | 538,000 | 430,000 | 2,658,000 | 2,145,000 | -19% |
Czech Republic | 167,000 | 269,000 | 656,000 | 1,054,000 | 60% |
Italy | 167,000 | 35,000 | 1,093,000 | 799,000 | -35% |
United Kingdom | 378,000 | 86,000 | 1,218,000 | 907,000 | -25% |
Others | 3,918,000 | 699,000 | 4,978,000 | 4,240,000 | -15% |
TOTAL | 4,920,000 | 4,563,000 | 23,234,000 | 25,170,000 | 8,33% |