Page 12 - FDMAsia JulAug 2025

10 MARKET BEATS JUL/AUG 2025 FDM ASIA | www.fdmasia.com

Dmitry Makeev

weak domestic demand and fading prospects in China, increase.
traditionally a fallback market for Russian timber. Russia has become Japan’s largest source of lumber
Executives say China’s ongoing trade tensions with the imports, outpacing Sweden, Canada, and Finland. Japan

U.S. and a prolonged slump in the country’s construction imported a total of 343,700 cubic meters of lumber in April—up
sector have sharply reduced buying activity. 73 percent compared to last year.
Economist Denis Kondratyev said that while the strong That is according to new data provided by the Japanese
ruble may be a sign of macroeconomic resilience, it is crippling Ministry of Finance, revealing that Japan—the world’s fourth
Russia’s exporters. largest importer of timber—imported 343,700 cubic metres
“A strong ruble damages export opportunities by making of lumber for April (an increase of 73 percent on last year),
shipments less attractive and raising the cost of products in with the lion’s share coming from Russia, Sweden (71,700
foreign markets,” he said. cubic metres), Canada (67,800 cubic metres), and Finland
He also noted that rising imports, even amid sanctions, (62,100 cubic metres).

are placing further pressure on domestic producers struggling Despite international pressure, Japan has not imposed
to stay afloat. sanctions on Russian timber, pulp, or glulam.
Kondratyev argued that government protectionist policies Japan, along with the US and Australia, maintains relatively
are necessary, including restricting imports in the domestic soft restrictions on Russian wood products.
market. Over 130 environmental and trade groups, as well as
Ukraine’s parliament, have urged global allies to sanction
Russia becomes Japan’s top lumber supplier Russian timber.

Japan imported over 71,700 cubic meters of lumber from European industry groups have called on the EU to press
Russia’s Far East in April, marking a 43 percent year-on-year Japan to fully ban Russian wood imports.