Softwood lumber shipments to the US from nine European countries hit a record 280 million board feet during the second quarter, up from 214 million board feet during the first quarter.
Austria, Germany, Sweden, Finland, the Czech Republic, Russia and the Baltic states are all hoping to cash in on any timber shortfall to the US from Canada which is still fighting the 27.2% duties imposed in May.
The shipments from Europe, according to industry newsletter Random Lengths, consist mainly of studs, dimensions and one inch boards.
