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German exports of beech logs up
¡¾2002.03.18¡¿

German exports of beech logs up

According to preliminary figures reported in EUWID from Wiesbaden-based Statistisches Bundesamt (German Office of Statistics), for the period from January to September 2001, German exports of raw beech logs grew by about 13% to 859,924 cubic metres (Jan.-Sept: 2000: 760,192 Cu.m). Most of this growth was from an increase in exports of beech logs to Sweden. In the nine months to September 2001 exports to Sweden totalled at 291,997 Cu.m (2000; 207,073Cu.m) and Sweden absorbed almost one third of Germany's exports of beech logs.

The statistics also revealed a marked growth in exports to Austria. Shipments increased by almost 60% to 46,638 Cu.m (2000; 29,737 Cu.m). Austria now ranks fifth in the German export statistics, after Sweden, China, Denmark, and Italy.
German log exporters enjoyed good growth rates with sales to Asian markets. Contrary to negative forecasts made by some market insiders, during the period from January to September last year mainly shipments of beech logs to China have been rising steadily. Exports to China grew by another 5% to 260,581Cu.m in 2001 (2000, 247,418 Cu.m), while shipments through Hong Kong fell by 7% to 41,453 Cu.m (2000, 44,862 Cu.m). A marked growth of plus 25% was recorded for exports of beech logs to Japan, 2001, 10,335 Cu.m (2000, 8,260 Cu.m).

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