Europe: shifting dynamics in supply  As of December 2024, Russia, Germany, and Belarus remained among China’s top ten softwood lumber suppliers. Germany is facing severe difficulties due to a slowdown in construction, high log prices, and oversaturated inventories. Additionally, Europe’s log production appears to be declining, driving log prices higher and intensifying lumber price tensions. These trends are expected to persist in 2025.  Russia: sustained pressure on exports  In 2024, Russia exported 13.67 million cubic meters of lumber to China, accounting for 21.75% of China’s total timber imports. With ...