An upturn in wood and paper product markets in 2011 and 2012 is forecast across the UNECE region.
The forecast for the 56 nations of the region was shared at the latest UNECE Timber Committee meeting in Turkey last week.
Production is forecast to rise by 1.5% in 2011 and 1.7% in 2012, while exports are expected to increase by 1.5% and 2.2%, with imports falling slightly in 2011 before rising 0.7% next year.
Sawn softwood markets show evidence of a slow but cautious recovery across the region. European output is expected to reach 100.1 million m³ in 2011 and 102 million m³ in 2012, while China’s imports of sawn softwood from Canada (3.14 million m³) in the first six months of 2011 were almost double the figure of a year ago.
Consumption of timber and paper is forecast to be disappointing, achieving only 0.8% growth in 2011 and 2012, reflecting the general economic situation.
Production and consumption of most engineered wood products are expected to show further gains in this US during 2011.
The consumption forecast for Russia is “positive” but the North American market “is not so encouraging” due to the depressed housing market.
