Out of the top-ten countries which export timber, the largest year-over-year increases (in %) were in Ukraine, Russia, the US, Chile and Germany. Exports from Ukraine have increased dramatically after the country banned most exports of softwood logs in 2017.
Softwood timber exports from Canada fell by six percent year-over-year in 2018. The biggest decline was in exports to China. Although Canada tried to diversify its export shipments, 80% of total exports were destined for the US market in the 3Q/18 – a three-year high. This share fell to 76% in the 1Q/19 when exports to China rose again.