Following some booming past years, when the European sawmills massively increased their exports to China, it seems that 2016 continues on the same pattern. Backed by an expanding Chinese housing market and a corresponding rising timber demand, the EU countries are continuously making their presence felt in China, although at lower levels than the traditional Chinese trading partners. Even if Russia, Canada, US and more recently New Zealand are the major lumber suppliers for China, Europe has managed to expand its position in the Chinese market, which is very promising for the upcoming years.

According to the latest Eurostat figures, in the first eight months of 2016, EU's softwood logs exports to China increased by 53% over the same period of 2015. France has the lead, with a share of 20% of all European exports (and a 0% increase yoy), followed closely by Estonia (19% share) and Lithuania (17% share and tripled exports).