Russian plywood imports surge in EU

EU imports of Russian plywood surged in the first half of 2011, according to the latest market report from the International Tropical Timber Organisation.

Russian hardwood plywood imports reached 416,000m³ in the first half, up 23% on the 340,000m³ shipped a year ago. The birch plywood imports made up much of the increase in EU hardwood plywood imports.

EU imports of Chinese plywood were up 32% at 464,000m³ in the first six months.

However, Chinese imports have been reducing since reaching a peak in the third quarter of 2010.

The EU imported a total of 630,000m³ in the second quarter, up 9% on the same period a year ago. Imports over the first half of 2011 were 1.2 million m³, up 12% on a year ago.

The imports are at the highest level since the economic crisis in 2008.

EU imports of hardwood plywood from Malaysia, Indonesia and Brazil in the first half were down 40% (69,000m³), 28% (55,000m³) and 25% (24,000m³) respectively.