Russia is the main source of hardwood plywood for Germany. In the case of Russia, hardwood is birch. The total hardwood plywood import to Germany has declined since 2018, but the import from Russia shows a growing trend. In 2019, Russia’s share in Germany’s total hardwood plywood imports was 32%, but it is likely to be bigger this year.

The progress in cubic meter prices is more curvy. Prices have been falling from late 2018 until this spring. Based on the Statistisches Bundesamt data, in March 2020 the Russian prices took a steep upswing. From February to March the Russian ruble weakened over 20%. Also in February, the supply from Finland stopped due to a month-long strike.

In 2019, Germany imported 234 tm3 of Russian birch (hardwood) plywood. In 2020, the volume will probably reach last year’s level. However, as imports from other countries are declining, Russia’s share shall increase to more than one-third of the total.