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MARKET BEATS 11
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relative to potential full production published quarterly by the
Census Bureau, has trended downward since 2017 due to commons.wikimedia.org
added capacity and stagnant output.
However, in the third quarter of 2025, on a four-quarter
moving average, the utilisation rate rose, as it increased from
68.2 percent to 68.8 percent.

Meanwhile, sawmill production, based on a four-quarter
moving average, was 1.2 percent higher in the third quarter
of 2025 compared to the second quarter and was 3.1 percent
higher than a year ago.
Lumber prices continued to decline in the third quarter.
Softwood lumber prices fell 4.9 percent during the quarter,
though they remained 3.9 percent higher than one year ago. Europe’s laminate flooring sales declined in 2025
Hardwood lumber prices continued to increase, rising 1.0 European laminate flooring manufacturer sales declined 6.50
percent in the third quarter. This was the seventh consecutive percent to 263.4 million sqm in 2025, reported the European

quarter of price increases in hardwood lumber. Producers of Laminate Flooring (EPLF).
Employment in sawmill and wood preservation industries The sales decreased from 281.6 million sqm in 2024.
continued to fall, dropping to roughly 85,400 workers in the EPLF said the trend reflects the broader slowdown observed
third quarter. This marked the tenth straight quarterly decline, across construction markets, particularly in new residential
bringing employment below the levels recorded at the onset builds and renovation activity, which continued to weigh on
of the pandemic. demand throughout the year.
Notably, third quarter employment reached its lowest level EPLF said the 2025 figures point to a “year of adjustment”

since the first quarter of 2013. for the laminate flooring sector.
US softwood lumber imports faced rising duty rates “While global volumes declined, demand remained
throughout 2025. Canadian imports were affected the most, comparatively more stable in the core European markets,
with the combined antidumping and countervailing duties which continue to represent the majority of EPLF sales,” it said.
doubling to 35 percent. “Regional differences indicate that market conditions
Additionally, all softwood lumber imports became subject evolved at different speeds rather than following a single
to a new 10 percent Section 232 duty, effective in October. global pattern.”
As a result, softwood lumber imported from Canada, which Europe accounted for more than 80 percent of total sales
accounts for around 80 percent of imports, now faces a 45 by EPLF member countries, confirming its position as the

percent duty rate. core market for the laminate flooring.
These higher duties contributed to import declines in the Western Europe, which represents 58 percent of total
third and fourth quarters. The fourth quarter import volume EPLF sales, recorded the most moderate contraction among
was the lowest amount since the first quarter of 2014. the major regions. Sales reached 151.8 million sqm in 2025,
Higher duties were not the only market headwind for a 5.62 percent reduction compared to 2024.
imports, as residential construction demand faded over the France remained relatively stable at 30.4 million sqm (-0.59
course of 2025. percent), demonstrating resilience compared to neighbouring